X-Ray Certification Patient Protection 4

Question 1

Which shielding material is most commonly used in protective aprons for patient and staff protection?

Accepted Answer

Lead or lead-equivalent material

Answer

Lead or lead-equivalent materials are used in protective aprons because lead's high atomic number makes it very effective at attenuating x-ray photons.

Question 2

What is the recommended minimum lead equivalent thickness for a protective apron used in fluoroscopy?

Accepted Answer

0.5 mm Pb

Answer

NCRP and ACR guidelines recommend at least 0.5 mm lead equivalent for protective aprons used during fluoroscopic procedures.

Question 3

A patient asks why their chest x-ray doesn't include a gonadal shield. The best response is:

Accepted Answer

The gonads are not in or near the primary beam for chest x-rays, so shielding is not indicated

Answer

Gonadal shielding is only indicated when the gonads are within approximately 5 cm of the primary beam; for chest radiographs they are not irradiated.

Question 4

Repeat radiographic exposures primarily increase patient risk by:

Accepted Answer

Delivering additional unnecessary radiation dose

Answer

Each repeat exposure adds cumulative radiation dose to the patient, increasing the stochastic risk of radiation-induced effects.

Question 5

Which of the following techniques reduces patient dose during fluoroscopy?

Accepted Answer

Using last-image-hold instead of continuous acquisition

Answer

The last-image-hold feature captures and displays the last acquired image, eliminating the need for continuous fluoroscopy and reducing patient dose.

X-Ray Certification Practice Test

X-Ray Certification Practice Test

X-Ray Certification Patient Protection 4