Written Assignment

Radiography Written Assignment

Nerissa L. Sanders

Professor Shelly Sowers MEA1290G3-Radigraphy

Week Three: Written Assignment

Radiation is dangerous because the high energy waves produced by radiation can cause permanent damage to living cells. Some of the cells can grow back fine but others are permanently damaged and will not be able to function. Three of the four exposure factors and how they play a role in exposure and formation of the image are:

Milliamperes (mA):

* Controls rate of flow of electrons across tube

* Controls radiographic density

* Controls rate of x-ray production

* Controlled by filament heat

* Quantity of exposure is directly proportional to mA

Kilovolts Peak (kVp):

* Controlled by the manipulation of power source (adjustment of potential difference across the tube)

* Increased kVp results in increased speed of electrons across tube

* Faster electrons have more kinetic energy

* Resulting photons will have more energy, expressed as shorter wavelength

* Controls radiographic contrast

* Controls x-ray penetration

Exposure Time (Seconds):

* Controlled by timer in x-ray circuit

* Controls duration of exposure

* Controls quantity of x-rays produced

* Quantity of exposure is directly proportional to exposure time

The ALARA principle states that all radiation exposure to humans should be limited to levels that are As Low As Reasonably Achievable. Implementing the ALARA principles to help our patient's is by eliminating or reducing the source of radiation-substituting other appropriate technologies or materials, control and contain the source-leak-tight valves and ventilated fume hoods, time-less time spent in a radiation field the lower the dose, distance-the further away the lower the dose and shielding. Also, to not let patient's relatives or friends hold/restrain them, collimate to reduce the irradiated field and by honoring the ALARA principle. The three specific harmful effects to radiation are:

1. Genetic effect-molecular damage to DNA in the reproductive cells and can cause biological damage in offspring. Damage may not show up for generations.

2. Short-term (Somatic