Week 12: Radiation Protection

Question 1

5 SC35 Recommendations for Performing Fluoro Exams

Answer 1

1. limit time, minimize dose rates and collimate
2. just be trained to operate fluoro machines
3. must monitor during exams
4. limited use of mobile machines
5. cinefluorography should be limited

Question 2

Shielding in Fluoro Rooms

Answer 2

Less wall shielding than gen rad rooms because image receptor assembly serves as a primary protective barrier (2mm of lead equivalent) and the tube is coupled to it and designed to only be energized when the IR is over the patient.

Question 3

Where should you stand to receive the lowest dose?

Answer 3

Positioning yourself as far away as possible and on the image receptor side minimizes exposure.

Question 4

Dose Area Product (DAP)

Answer 4

Stochastic effects (effects that occur by chance) depend on effective dose which is related to tissue dose and volume of tissue irradiated. DAP is an effective way to indicate risk. When the field size is smaller, the DAP is smaller which is why increasing collimation helps reduce exposure and risk.

Question 5

Minimum Source to Skin Distance (SSD)

Answer 5

38 cm for stationary units
30 cm for mobile units
20 cm for special applications
Increased SSD leads to decreased estimated skin exposure (ESE)