Radiation Safety And Occupational Health

Question 1

Which medical procedure is responsible for the greatest radiation dose to medical staff?
A) Mammography
B) Nuclear imaging
C) Fluoroscopic procedures
D) Computed tomography

Answer 1

C) Fluoroscopic procedures

Question 2

What is the primary aim of radiation protection in medical settings?
A) To eliminate the use of radiation entirely
B) To enhance image resolution in diagnostics
C) To minimize the harmful effects of ionizing radiation
D) To standardize equipment usage across departments

Answer 2

C) To minimize the harmful effects of ionizing radiation

Question 3

Which principle of radiation safety emphasizes weighing the benefits and risks of a procedure involving radiation?
A) Optimization
B) Justification
C) Dose limitation
D) ALARA

Answer 3

B) Justification

Question 4

The ALARA principle is best described as:
A) A law requiring zero radiation exposure in non-radiology departments
B) A guideline to minimize radiation while maintaining diagnostic value
C) A formula for predicting radiation-induced malignancy
D) A policy limiting the number of fluoroscopic procedures per month

Answer 4

B) A guideline to minimize radiation while maintaining diagnostic value

Question 5

Why do many clinicians outside radiology have low adherence to radiation safety guidelines?
A) They use lower doses of radiation
B) They are usually immune to radiation effects
C) They often lack formal training in dose reduction
D) Their departments are not monitored for radiation exposure

Answer 5

C) They often lack formal training in dose reduction

Question 6

What makes x-rays particularly damaging compared to lower energy photons?
A) They are less likely to interact with atoms
B) They travel at slower speeds
C) They can break molecular bonds and ionize atoms
D) They emit ultraviolet radiation

Answer 6

C) They can break molecular bonds and ionize atoms

Question 7

What is the difference between scattered x-rays and direct x-ray beam exposure?
A) Scattered x-rays have higher energy than the direct beam
B) Scattered x-rays deposit less energy in tissues
C) The direct beam causes less DNA damage
D) Only direct x-rays can cause ionization

Answer 7

C) The direct beam causes less DNA damage

Question 8

What is the primary way ionizing radiation causes indirect damage to DNA?
A) Heating tissues
B) Producing sound waves
C) Generating free radicals
D) Compressing cells

Answer 8

C) Generating free radicals

Question 9

What unit is used to measure absorbed dose?
A) Millisieverts (mSv)
B) Rems
C) Milligrays (mGy)
D) Roentgens

Answer 9

C) Milligrays (mGy)

Question 10

How is the effective dose best defined?
A) The dose absorbed by one specific organ
B) The sum of all organ equivalent doses in the body
C) The amount of scattered radiation received
D) The dose needed to cause visible symptoms

Answer 10

B) The sum of all organ equivalent doses in the body

Question 11

According to the ICRP, what is the approximate risk of fatal cancer from 20 mSv/year of radiation exposure averaged over five years?
A) 1 in 10
B) 1 in 100
C) 1 in 1,000
D) 1 in 10,000

Answer 11

C) 1 in 1,000

Question 12

What term describes radiation effects that only occur after a certain dose threshold is surpassed?
A) Stochastic effects
B) Deterministic effects
C) Probabilistic effects
D) Delayed effects

Answer 12

B) Deterministic effects

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a stochastic effect of radiation?
A) Dermatitis
B) Cancer
C) Hair loss
D) Thyroiditis

Answer 13

B) Cancer

Question 14

What factor determines whether a deterministic effect will occur?
A) Single x-ray dose
B) Cumulative dose to tissue or organ
C) Patient age
D) Exposure frequency

Answer 14

B) Cumulative dose to tissue or organ

Question 15

Which of the following is not considered a deterministic effect of radiation?
A) Radiation-induced thyroiditis
B) Dermatitis
C) Cataracts
D) Hair loss

Answer 15

C) Cataracts

Question 16

The probability of developing a stochastic effect from radiation exposure increases with:
A) Repeated exposure, regardless of total dose
B) Meeting a threshold dose
C) High-energy shielding
D) Body surface area

Answer 16

A) Repeated exposure, regardless of total dose

Question 17

Current evidence links medical radiation to an increased risk of all the following except:
A) Cataracts
B) Hereditary conditions
C) Cancer
D) Asthma

Answer 17

D) Asthma

Question 18

Why is studying long-term effects of low-dose radiation challenging?
A) Low doses cannot be measured
B) Existing data mostly come from high-dose exposures
C) Patients often refuse participation in studies
D) All effects occur immediately

Answer 18

B) Existing data mostly come from high-dose exposures

Question 19

Which of the following techniques is recommended to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure during imaging?
A) Increase magnification whenever possible
B) Use continuous fluoroscopy exclusively
C) Preplan required images to avoid redundancy
D) Place the x-ray tube close to the patient

Answer 19

C) Preplan required images to avoid redundancy

Question 20

How does magnification affect radiation exposure?
A) It decreases scatter radiation
B) It reduces exposure for both staff and patient
C) It has no effect on radiation dose
D) It significantly increases patient exposure

Answer 20

D) It significantly increases patient exposure

Question 21

Compared to continuous fluoroscopy, pulsed fluoroscopy typically captures:
A) 35 images per second
B) 50 images per second
C) 5 images per second
D) 1 image per second

Answer 21

C) 5 images per second

Question 22

To minimize radiation exposure, the x-ray plate should be positioned:
A) As far from the patient as possible
B) At the midpoint between the x-ray tube and the patient
C) Directly above the x-ray source
D) As close to the patient as possible

Answer 22

D) As close to the patient as possible

Question 23

The inverse square law implies that doubling your distance from the x-ray source decreases exposure by a factor of:
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 10

Answer 23

C) 4

Question 24

Scattered radiation exposure for staff can be reduced by:
A) Increasing magnification
B) Shortening the distance from the x-ray tube
C) Doubling distance from the radiation source
D) Turning off the x-ray image intensifier

Answer 24

C) Doubling distance from the radiation source

Question 25

What type of shield in fluoroscopy suites can reduce radiation doses to the head and neck by a factor of 10? A) Portable rolling shields B) Leaded aprons C) Ceiling-suspended lead acrylic shields D) Thyroid collars

Answer 25

C) Ceiling-suspended lead acrylic shields

Question 26

What is the primary benefit of portable rolling shields in operating rooms? A) They eliminate the need for leaded aprons B) They reduce image distortion C) They can reduce staff radiation dose by over 90% D) They focus the x-ray beam

Answer 26

C) They can reduce staff radiation dose by over 90%

Question 27

Which type of apron provides better protection for medical staff? A) Standard cloth apron B) Front-only leaded apron C) Circumferential leaded apron D) Sterile disposable apron

Answer 27

C) Circumferential leaded apron

Question 28

Leaded aprons should be accompanied by which additional piece of PPE? A) Surgical mask B) Lead gloves C) Thyroid shield D) Dosimeter badge

Answer 28

C) Thyroid shield

Question 29

What is the typical radiation transmission range through properly functioning leaded aprons? A) 0.01% to 1% B) 0.5% to 5% C) 5% to 10% D) 10% to 20%

Answer 29

B) 0.5% to 5%

Question 30

Which piece of PPE has the lowest compliance rate among healthcare workers? A) Leaded aprons B) Thyroid shields C) Leaded eyeglasses D) Leaded gloves

Answer 30

C) Leaded eyeglasses

Question 31

Why is the posterior lens of the eye significant in radiation safety discussions? A) It is the least affected by radiation B) It reflects visible light poorly C) It shows a unique sensitivity to radiation-induced cataracts D) It is unaffected by x-rays used in fluoroscopy

Answer 31

C) It shows a unique sensitivity to radiation-induced cataracts

Question 32

How often should lead aprons be checked for integrity? A) Monthly B) Every 6 months C) Once per year D) Only when damage is suspected

Answer 32

B) Every 6 months

Question 33

What is the primary function of a dosimeter in clinical practice? A) To monitor cumulative radiation exposure B) To block low-energy photons C) To enhance digital imaging contrast D) To detect metallic objects

Answer 33

A) To monitor cumulative radiation exposure

Question 34

Which group should consistently wear dosimeters in the hospital? A) Only lead apron inspectors B) All personnel exposed to ionizing radiation C) Only radiology technologists D) Only physicians performing CT scans

Answer 34

B) All personnel exposed to ionizing radiation

Question 35

According to Sanchez et al., what problem exists with dosimeter use? A) They cause interference with imaging software B) About 50% of physicians either don’t wear them or wear them incorrectly C) They are only accurate for beta radiation D) The battery life is insufficient for long procedures

Answer 35

B) About 50% of physicians either don’t wear them or wear them incorrectly

Question 36

Why should a dosimeter be worn both inside and outside a leaded apron? A) To monitor heat distribution B) To detect motion artifacts C) To compare shielded vs unshielded radiation exposure D) To check alignment with the beam

Answer 36

C) To compare shielded vs unshielded radiation exposure

Question 37

Who is typically responsible for reviewing and analyzing dosimeter data? A) Radiation safety department B) Operating room supervisor C) Human resources D) Legal compliance office

Answer 37

A) Radiation safety department

Question 38

What is one key benefit of reviewing dosimeter feedback with staff? A) It improves billing efficiency B) It lowers patient scan times C) It promotes awareness and behavioral changes related to radiation safety D) It identifies non-ionizing radiation sources

Answer 38

C) It promotes awareness and behavioral changes related to radiation safety

Question 39

What medical condition was the first to be treated with I-131 in 1941? A) Hyperlipidemia B) Thyrotoxicosis C) Coronary artery disease D) Osteoporosis

Answer 39

B) Thyrotoxicosis

Question 40

What type of imaging uses radiopharmaceutical injection to visualize organ function? A) MRI B) CT C) PET D) Ultrasound

Answer 40

C) PET

Question 41

Which of the following best describes brachytherapy? A) External radiation beam treatment B) Injection of contrast dye into vessels C) Internal radiation therapy used for cancer treatment D) Oral administration of radiotracers for thyroid imaging

Answer 41

C) Internal radiation therapy used for cancer treatment

Question 42

What is a common side effect of brachytherapy? A) Skin burns B) Cataract formation C) Thrombocytopenia D) Pneumothorax

Answer 42

C) Thrombocytopenia

Question 43

How should radioactive materials with half-lives under 90 days be handled? A) Immediately flushed into sanitary drains B) Reused for diagnostic purposes C) Shipped to public waste facilities D) Stored in shielded facilities until decayed

Answer 43

D) Stored in shielded facilities until decayed

Question 44

What is required when disposing of radioactive waste? A) Immediate incineration B) Labeling with radioactive waste tags C) Neutralization with acid D) Burial in sand-based containers

Answer 44

B) Labeling with radioactive waste tags

Question 45

What is the first step in optimizing safe radiation practices in healthcare settings? A) Hiring more radiologists B) Investing in new imaging machines C) Educating hospital staff on best practices D) Switching entirely to non-ionizing modalities

Answer 45

C) Educating hospital staff on best practices

Question 46

Who is primarily responsible for enforcing protective radiation strategies in hospitals? A) Infectious disease department B) Hospital legal counsel C) Radiation safety department D) Nursing administration

Answer 46

C) Radiation safety department

Question 47

What impact did a 20-minute radiation safety video have on physician behavior? A) Increased patient satisfaction B) Reduced median fluoroscopy time by 30% to 50% C) Eliminated the need for lead aprons D) Raised hospital revenue from imaging procedures

Answer 47

B) Reduced median fluoroscopy time by 30% to 50%

Question 48

What is one of the three core principles of radiation safety mentioned in this section? A) Surveillance B) Justification C) Attenuation D) Rotation

Answer 48

B) Justification

Question 49

What does the ALARA principle encourage healthcare workers to do? A) Maximize radiation output for clearer images B) Avoid using fluoroscopy altogether C) Keep radiation exposure as far below limits as reasonably achievable D) Use non-ionizing radiation exclusively

Answer 49

C) Keep radiation exposure as far below limits as reasonably achievable

Question 50

Which of the following is not listed as a key element in reducing radiation exposure? A) Dose limitation B) Justification C) Optimization D) Image post-processing

Answer 50

D) Image post-processing