Radiation biology Exam Questions and Answers With Verified Solutions 2025
What are the consequences of ionization in the human cell? - ✔✔Creation of unstable atoms,
production of free electrons, production of low-energy x-ray photons, creation of reactive free radicals
capable of producing substances poisonous to the cell, creation of new biologic molecules detrimental
to the living cell, injury to the cell that may manifest itself as abnormal function or loss of function. (box
1-1 on page 2)
When is medical radiation exposure considered unnecessary? - ✔✔When it doesn't benefit the patient-
examples: lack of collimation, wrong exam, repeats.
When it doesn't enhance the quality of the study
How can the background equivalent radiation time (BERT) method be used to eliminate a patient's fears
about medical radiation exposure? - ✔✔The BERT method compares the amount of radiation received
by the patient with natural background radiation received over a specific period of time. BERT helps
emphasize that radiation is an innate part of our environment and it is easy for patients to understand.
Describe how radiographers can use the ALARA concept in the performance of their daily
responsibilities? - ✔✔Radiographers should use the least amount of time as possible, stand back as far
as you can, use correct SID for patients, and shield yourself and patients for all exams (if possible).
How does implementation of the TRACE Program improve patient safety? - ✔✔The TRACE Program
improves patient safety by allowing a greater radiation safety understanding through patient and
community education
How will a patient benefit from standardized radiation dose reporting? - ✔✔All exams need to be
dictated into every radiologic report. This will help the physician know if additional radiologic
procedures are advisable with having the patient radiation dose history in hand. (page 11) Also there
will be only a certain amount of exposure a given exam should produce, protecting the patient from
over exposure
Why should the ALARA philosophy be established and maintained as a main part of every health care
facility's radiation safety program? - ✔✔Our main goal as radiographers is to provide the patient with an
acceptable diagnostic image using the lowest amount of radiation possible. Therefore, the ALARA
, philosophy is helpful in achieving this goal and holding radiographers responsible for the patient's
safety.
When are patients more likely to overcome any radiation phobia and be willing to assume a small risk of
possible biologic damage? - ✔✔The patient needs to understand that the benefit of having an x-ray to
diagnose pathology is greater than the risk of the negative aspects of an x-ray. When a patient
understands the technology and the great lengths a radiographer goes to protect them from
unnecessary radiation, the patient may be more willing to proceed with the x-ray procedure.
On what premise is BERT based? - ✔✔BERT is based on an annual US population exposure of 3
millisieverts per year. It is used to compare x-ray procedures to comparable natural background
radiation examples to the patient.
In the medical industry with reference to the radiation sciences, how is risk defined? - ✔✔Risk is defined
in reference to the radiation sciences as the possibility of inducing radiogenic cancer or genetic defect.
What is radiation? - ✔✔Kinetic energy that passes from one location to another and can have many
manifestations
How do electromagnetic and particulate radiations differ? - ✔✔Electromagnetic has enough energy to
knock out the orbital electrons. Particulate has sufficient energy to cause ionization by direct atomic
collision. (page 17)
When inhaled into the lungs of a human why is radon more dangerous than thoron? - ✔✔Because there
is a larger quantity of it. It's the leading cause of lung cancer (powerpoint and page 22).
What is a solar flare? - ✔✔A solar flare is a tremendous explosion on the surface of the sun (page 26).
Explain the use of the radiation quantity "equivalent dose" (EqD). - ✔✔It is used for radiation protection
purposes when a person receives exposure from various types of ionizing radiation ( page 19).
What are enhanced natural sources of radiation? - ✔✔Natural sources of radiation grow larger because
of accidental or deliberate human actions, such as mining is called enhanced natural sources or
radiation. (page 21)
What are the consequences of ionization in the human cell? - ✔✔Creation of unstable atoms,
production of free electrons, production of low-energy x-ray photons, creation of reactive free radicals
capable of producing substances poisonous to the cell, creation of new biologic molecules detrimental
to the living cell, injury to the cell that may manifest itself as abnormal function or loss of function. (box
1-1 on page 2)
When is medical radiation exposure considered unnecessary? - ✔✔When it doesn't benefit the patient-
examples: lack of collimation, wrong exam, repeats.
When it doesn't enhance the quality of the study
How can the background equivalent radiation time (BERT) method be used to eliminate a patient's fears
about medical radiation exposure? - ✔✔The BERT method compares the amount of radiation received
by the patient with natural background radiation received over a specific period of time. BERT helps
emphasize that radiation is an innate part of our environment and it is easy for patients to understand.
Describe how radiographers can use the ALARA concept in the performance of their daily
responsibilities? - ✔✔Radiographers should use the least amount of time as possible, stand back as far
as you can, use correct SID for patients, and shield yourself and patients for all exams (if possible).
How does implementation of the TRACE Program improve patient safety? - ✔✔The TRACE Program
improves patient safety by allowing a greater radiation safety understanding through patient and
community education
How will a patient benefit from standardized radiation dose reporting? - ✔✔All exams need to be
dictated into every radiologic report. This will help the physician know if additional radiologic
procedures are advisable with having the patient radiation dose history in hand. (page 11) Also there
will be only a certain amount of exposure a given exam should produce, protecting the patient from
over exposure
Why should the ALARA philosophy be established and maintained as a main part of every health care
facility's radiation safety program? - ✔✔Our main goal as radiographers is to provide the patient with an
acceptable diagnostic image using the lowest amount of radiation possible. Therefore, the ALARA
, philosophy is helpful in achieving this goal and holding radiographers responsible for the patient's
safety.
When are patients more likely to overcome any radiation phobia and be willing to assume a small risk of
possible biologic damage? - ✔✔The patient needs to understand that the benefit of having an x-ray to
diagnose pathology is greater than the risk of the negative aspects of an x-ray. When a patient
understands the technology and the great lengths a radiographer goes to protect them from
unnecessary radiation, the patient may be more willing to proceed with the x-ray procedure.
On what premise is BERT based? - ✔✔BERT is based on an annual US population exposure of 3
millisieverts per year. It is used to compare x-ray procedures to comparable natural background
radiation examples to the patient.
In the medical industry with reference to the radiation sciences, how is risk defined? - ✔✔Risk is defined
in reference to the radiation sciences as the possibility of inducing radiogenic cancer or genetic defect.
What is radiation? - ✔✔Kinetic energy that passes from one location to another and can have many
manifestations
How do electromagnetic and particulate radiations differ? - ✔✔Electromagnetic has enough energy to
knock out the orbital electrons. Particulate has sufficient energy to cause ionization by direct atomic
collision. (page 17)
When inhaled into the lungs of a human why is radon more dangerous than thoron? - ✔✔Because there
is a larger quantity of it. It's the leading cause of lung cancer (powerpoint and page 22).
What is a solar flare? - ✔✔A solar flare is a tremendous explosion on the surface of the sun (page 26).
Explain the use of the radiation quantity "equivalent dose" (EqD). - ✔✔It is used for radiation protection
purposes when a person receives exposure from various types of ionizing radiation ( page 19).
What are enhanced natural sources of radiation? - ✔✔Natural sources of radiation grow larger because
of accidental or deliberate human actions, such as mining is called enhanced natural sources or
radiation. (page 21)
