Rad Tech’s Guide to Radiation Protection

Radiation protection is a core element of radiologic technology programmes and daily practice alike. Rad Tech's Guide to Radiation Protection is a comprehensive yet compact guide designed to illuminate the extensive field of radiation protection for technologists, trainees, and radiology students. Organised into ten digestible chapters, the second edition of this popular book provides new discussions of dose factors in computed tomography, the debate concerning the use of the LNT model, Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs), dose optimization, and more. Written by a recognised expert in medical radiation sciences, this valuable guide: Helps students and technologists acquire the skills required to protect patients, personnel, and members of the public in the radiology department Reflects the most current standards for radiation protection, with references to relevant organisations and resources Covers basic radiobiology, sources of radiation exposure, dose management regulations and optimization, and more Presents essential information in a bulleted, easy-to-reference format Rad Tech's Guide to Radiation Protection is a must-have resource for student radiographers and radiology technologists, particularly those preparing for the American Registry of Radiation Technologist (ARRT) exams.

Radiation protection is a core element of radiologic technology programmes and daily practice alike. Rad Tech's Guide to Radiation Protection is a comprehensive yet compact guide designed to illuminate the extensive field of radiation protection for technologists, trainees, and radiology students. Organised into ten digestible chapters, the second edition of this popular book provides new discussions of dose factors in computed tomography, the debate concerning the use of the LNT model, Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs), dose optimization, and more.Written by a recognised expert in medical radiation sciences, this valuable guide:* Helps students and technologists acquire the skills required to protect patients, personnel, and members of the public in the radiology department* Reflects the most current standards for radiation protection, with references to relevant organisations and resources* Covers basic radiobiology, sources of radiation exposure, dose management regulations and optimization, and more* Presents essential information in a bulleted, easy-to-reference formatRad Tech's Guide to Radiation Protection is a must-have resource for student radiographers and radiology technologists, particularly those preparing for the American Registry of Radiation Technologist (ARRT) exams.

Preface to the Second Edition xiAcknowledgments xiii1 Nature and Scope of Radiation Protection 1What is Radiation Protection? 2Scope of Radiation Protection 2Diagnostic Radiology Modalities 3Why Protect Patients and Personnel in Diagnostic Radiology? 3Framework for Radiation Protection 4Basic Schemes for Patient Exposure in Digital Radiography, Fluoroscopy, and Computed Tomography 6Factors Affecting Dose in Diagnostic Radiology 8Dose Management Techniques 10Pregnancy: Radiation Protection Considerations 112 Diagnostic X-Rays: Essential Physical Factors 13X-Ray Production 14Mechanisms for Creating X-Rays 14X-Ray Spectrum 16X-Ray Attenuation 20X-Ray Interactions 23Increasing kV and Scatter Production 263 Radiation Quantities and Units 27Sources of Radiation Exposure 29Types of Exposure 30Quantities and Units for Quantifying Ionizing Radiation 31Quantities and Units for Quantifying Biologic Risks 33Radiation Measurement 36Wearing a Personnel Dosimeter 384 Basic Radiobiology 39What is Radiobiology? 41Essential Physics and Chemistry 41Fundamental Concepts of Radiobiology 44Deterministic Effects (Early Effects of Radiation) 49Stochastic Effects (Late Effects of Radiation) 51Radiation Exposure During Pregnancy 545 Current Standards for Radiation Protection 55Radiation Protection Organizations 56Objectives of Radiation Protection 57Radiation Protection Criteria and Standards 58Recommended Dose Limits 60Diagnostic Reference Levels: A Useful Tool for Optimization of Protection 626 Dose Factors in Digital Radiography 65Digital Radiography: Essential Considerations 66The Standardized Exposure Indicator: Basics 68Factors Affecting Dose in Digital Radiography 707 Dose Factors in Fluoroscopy 77Major Components of Fluoroscopic Imaging Systems 78Factors Affecting Dose in Fluoroscopy 82Scattered Radiation in Fluoroscopy 878 Factors Affecting Dose in Computed Tomography 89Computed Tomography: A Definition 90Nobel Prize for CT Pioneers 91CT Principles: the Basics 91Multislice CT Technology: The Pitch 93Dose Distribution in CT 93CT Dose Metrics 94Factors Affecting the Dose in CT 96Dose Optimization in CT 999 Dose Management Regulations and Optimization 101Federal Regulations for Dose Management 103Equipment Specifications for Radiography 104Equipment Specifications for Fluoroscopy 106Procedures for Minimizing Dose to Patients and Personnel 109Shielding: Design of Protective Barriers 112Quality Assurance: Dose Management and Optimization 11410 Pregnancy: Essential Radiation Protection Considerations 117Rationale for Radiation Protection in Pregnancy 118Factors Affecting Dose to the Conceptus 119Estimating the Dose to the Conceptus 120Continuing/Terminating a Pregnancy After Exposure 120Dose Reduction Techniques for Pregnant Patients 121The Pregnant Worker 121References 125Index 129