Written Assignment
Essay Preview: Written Assignment
Report this essay
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 patients 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 patients 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:
Genetic effect-molecular damage to DNA in the reproductive cells and can cause biological damage in offspring. Damage may not show up for generations.
Short-term (Somatic