Radiology Tech Flashcards

What is the annual occupational whole-body effective dose limit for radiation workers in the US?

Answer: 50 mSv

The NRC and NCRP set the annual occupational effective dose limit at 50 mSv (5 rem) for radiation workers.

Which property of X-rays allows them to penetrate matter?

Answer: They are high-energy photons with no mass or charge

X-rays are electromagnetic radiation with no mass or charge, enabling them to penetrate matter with their interaction determined by photon energy and tissue density.

What does the term 'attenuation' mean in radiography?

Answer: The reduction of X-ray beam intensity as it passes through matter

Attenuation refers to the reduction in X-ray beam intensity caused by absorption and scatter as it passes through matter.

Which radiographic positioning term describes the patient lying face down?

Answer: Prone

Prone describes the patient positioned face down on the table, opposite to the supine (face up) position.

What is the effect of increasing kVp on radiographic contrast?

Answer: Decreases contrast (more gray scale)

Higher kVp produces a more penetrating beam with greater Compton scatter, resulting in a longer gray scale and lower (reduced) contrast.

Which personal dosimeter provides the most accurate measure of radiation exposure for a worker?

Answer: Optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dosimeter

OSL dosimeters offer high accuracy, wide dose range, rereadability, and energy independence, making them the most accurate personal monitoring devices.

Which plane divides the body into anterior and posterior halves?

Answer: Coronal plane

The coronal (frontal) plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.