Radiation Safety
The single most effective means of radiation protection
Distance
TRUE or FALSE:
Mobile x-ray machines are more sophisticated than stationary x-ray machines
FALSE
The typical SID selection for most mobile x-ray examinations
40 inches or 102 cm
TRUE or FALSE: The radiographer should never move a limb that has been operated on or is broken unless the nurse, the physician, or sometimes the patient grants permission.
TRUE
Fluid levels in the pleural cavity are best demonstrated with the affected side ____________.
down
The minimum distance recommended for a radiologic technologist from the source of radiation during mobile radiography
6 feet or 2 meters
A feature of modern x-ray machine units that sets all exposure factors to preset value based on the selected examination
Anatomic programming
Function of a radiographic grid
Absorb scatter radiation before it reaches the image receptor
In mobile imaging of a child patient, are relatives required to leave the radiation area prior to exposure?
No.
TRUE or FALSE: A grid must be used if 70 kVp or above is selected.
TRUE
The least amount of scatter radiation occurs at what position? (How many degrees from the primary beam and the object being radiographed?)
90 degrees or at a right angle
Typical mAs range for a mobile x-ray machine
0.04 to 320 mAs
Three important technical matters that must be clearly understood to perform optimum mobile examinations
1.Grid
2.Anode-heel effect
3.SID
TRUE or FALSE: There is no need to communicate with an unconscious patient because the auditory, optic, and cognitive functions are impaired.
FALSE
3 inches below the jugular notch
From which type of radiation should radiologic technologists be protected from?
Scattered radiation from the patient
Battery-operated OR capacitor-discharge mobile x-ray machine: Cordless, and provides constant kVp and mAs
Battery-operated mobile x-ray machine
At what SID is the heel effect is more pronounced?
Short
Position of the mobile x-ray machine if examining a patient in a supine position
(toward the) middle of the bed
What is the alternative position for a patient undergoing abdomen x-ray that cannot be positioned upright?
Left lateral decubitus of the abdomen
The patient's gonads should be shielded with appropriate radiation protection devices for any of the which situations? Give at least three (3)
1.X-ray examinations performed on children
2.X-ray examinations performed on patients of reproductive age
3.Any examination for which the patient requests protection
4.Examinations in which the gonads lie in or near the useful beam
5.Examinations in which shielding will not interfere with imaging of the anatomy that must be demonstrated
Power drive, the forward and reverse speed driving mechanism of battery-operated mobile x-ray machines, requires what standard type of brake that instantly stops the machine upon releasing the handle?
Deadman brake
If the grid tilts longitudinally, the central ray angles through the long axis. In this case, grid cutoff is avoided, but the image may be ______________.
distorted or elongated
The very first step in performing mobile x-ray examinations
Planning
The maneuver that can be used for moving patients with suspected spinal injury, or limited spinal mobility
log roll technique