306 Flashcards
Radiography (12 cards)
What is the purpose of the current Ionising Radiation Regulations?
Protects patients and staff from exposure to excessive amounts of radiation.
Keep exposure ALARP to protect everyone
What is the purpose of the current Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations?
Protecting patients, ensuring that the dosage of radiation that they are exposed to is minimal and only takes place when absolutely necessary
What are local rules?
They are surgery/practice specific - tailored to the designated area that they are displayed in
They protect people in that area
Summaries and posters should be made available/on display
What is the radiation protection file?
Available in the practice for all staff members to gain access to at any point
Constantly updated with all company regulations and policies
What is the primary beam?
Why can it pose a risk?
Travels in a straight line in a concentrated area to take the x-ray image - ie - through the patients cheek
Staff can be exposed to the primary beam unnecessarily
Why is scatter radiation a risk?
X-ray beams can come into contact with one another and scatter out of the primary beam formation
Causes a larger area of exposure risk
Why can absorption by the patient pose a risk?
Excessive absorption is dangerous for the patient
Can cause damage to cell structure - can lead to an increased risk of cancer
Why is equipment failure an issue for meeting regulations?
May no longer be meeting regulation standards - dangerous
Failure to fire correctly can lead to multiple images being taken and therefore more exposure for the patient
What is a controlled area?
What is the purpose of it?
An area that has been designated by an employer to assist in controlling and restricting radiation exposures
What is the purpose of lead foil in a traditional x-ray film?
Prevents/minimises scattering of the ionising radiation past the film packet
What is the purpose of an intensifying screen in an extra-oral (OPT) cassette?
Both sides of the cassette are used to reduce the dose of radiation exposure required to produce a dental image