2. Rad Bio Final

• List the Consequences of Ionization in Human Cells

  o   Creation of unstable atoms

  o   Production of free electrons

  o   Production of low-energy x-ray photons

  o   Creation of highly reactive free molecules

  o   Creation of new biologic molecules detrimental to the cell

  o   Injury to the cell that may manifest as abnormal or loss of function.
• List the characteristics of x-rays

  o   Invisible

  o   Varying degree of penetration

  o   Cannot be deflected, therefore, electrically neutral

  o   Cannot be focused with a lens

  o   Travel in straight lines at the speed of light

  o   Produce charged particles and can cause fluorescence

  o   Will darken photographic film

  o   Wide range of energies
• define exposure


  the amount of radiation produced in air when ionizing radiation is present
• What is the measurement for exposure?

  coulomb per kilogram C/kg or milliroentgen mR
• define absorbed dose


  the amount of energy that is deposited in a material per unit mass of material
• what is the measurement for absorbed dose?

  milligray mGy
• define effective dose 


  quantity that is a measure of general harm in humans
• what is the measurement of effective dose

  millisievert mSv
• define diagnostic efficacy


  the degree to which the diagnostic study accurately reveals the presence or absence of disease in a patient.
• What is another name for ALARA?

  optimization for radiation protection ORP
• risk


  the probability of injury, aliment, or death resulting from an activity
• risk (medical)


  the possibility of inducing a radiogenic cancer or genetic defect after irradiation
• BERT


  a method that can be used to improve patient understanding and reduce fear and anxiety for the patient
• What does BERT compare?

  compares the amount of radiation received with natural background radiation over a given period of time
• What is BERT based on?

  annual U.S. population exposure of approx. 3 mSv per year
• What is the goal of the Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging?

  raise awareness among non-radiology users
• Monitoring & reporting of radiation dose is a requirement of who?

  Joint Commission
• energy

  the ability to do work-that is , to move an object against resistance
• How does radiation relate to energy?

  Radiation refers to energy that passes from one location to another and can have many manifestations
• List the types of mechanical radiation

  ultrasound
• list the types of radiation on the electromagnetic wave

  • radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays
• where do x-rays originate?

  come from electron cloud of an atom
• where do gamma rays originate?

  come from nucleus of radioactive atom
• What is the electromagnetic spectrum formula?


  (c = λv)
• What do the letters in the equation for the electromagnetic spectrum stand for?

  • c = speed of light
  • λ= wavelength (distance from crest to crest)
  • v= frequency (cycles per second)
• ionizing radiation


  conversion of atoms to ions
• What are the 4 types of particulate radiation?

  alpha, beta, neutrons, protons
• alpha particles


  these are a result of alpha emission. less penetrating than beta particles, travel a short distance, virtually harmless unless internal. It has 2 units of electrical charge
• beta particles


  type of particulate radiation that is lighter, only 1 unit of charge. Produced by a linear accelerator
• neutron


  neutral, same mass as proton
• radioisotope


  What is an unstable nucleus
• protons


  positive charge, number of protons in an a atomic number "Z"
• absorbed dose


  the amount of kinetic energy per unit mass that has been absorbed in a material dues to its interaction with ionizing radiation
• What is the unit for absorbed dose?

  milligray mGy
• equivalent dose EqD


  takes into account the type of ionizing radiation that was absorbed. an overall dose value that includes the different degrees of tissue interaction that could be caused by different types o ionizing radiation
• What is the unit of measurement for EqD

  millisievert mSv
• effective dose EfD


  takes into account that dose for all types of ionizing radiation to various irradiated organs or tissue in the human body. The best overall harm estimate that might be produced by an absorbed dose
• what is the unit of measurement for effective dose?

  mSv
• biologic damage potential can cause what kinds of damages?

  molecular change, cellular damage, organic damage
• What are the 3 sources of radiation?

  natural, human-made, and medical