RADIATION MONITORING (CH5) EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Personnel Dosimeter - Answer- Provides an indication of the working habits and
working conditions of diagnostic imaging personnel. Determines occupational
exposure by detecting and measuring the quantity of ionizing radiation to which the
dosimeter has been exposed over a period of time. Does not protect the wearer from
exposure because the instrument is just meant to detect and measure the amount of
ionizing radiation to which it has been exposed
Extremity Dosimeter - Answer- It is recommended that this be worn by an imaging
professional as a second monitor when performing fluoroscopic procedures that
require the hands to be near the primary x-ray beam.
Characteristic Curve - Answer- Graphically indicates the amount of radiation
exposure required to achieve a particular optical density on the radiation-dosimetry
film
Control Badge - Answer- Serves as a basis for comparison after film badges have
been returned to the monitoring company.
Because it is supposed to be kept in a radiation-free area within an imaging facility,
its optical density reading should be zero. After processing, if a reading greater than
zero is indicated, then the batch of personnel monitors may have been exposed to
radiation while in transit. To ensure that false readings are not recorded, the control
reading is reported to the health care facility. This reading, if different from zero,
must be subtracted from each of the remaining film badge readings in the batch to
ensure accuracy in exposure reporting.
Control Monitor - Answer- The OSL version of the control badge.
Serves as a basis of comparison with the remaining dosimeters after they have been
returned to the monitoring company for processing. The purpose of this is to
measure the background exposure during transportation, handling, and storage of
radiation monitors.
Densitometer - Answer- The instrument that is used to measure the optical
density of the film badge's exposed film packet.
Radiation interacting with the film in the badge causes the film to darken once it is
developed. After processing, the density, or degree of blackening, of the image of
the filters recorded on the dosimeter film is proportional to the amount of radiation
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Personnel Dosimeter - Answer- Provides an indication of the working habits and
working conditions of diagnostic imaging personnel. Determines occupational
exposure by detecting and measuring the quantity of ionizing radiation to which the
dosimeter has been exposed over a period of time. Does not protect the wearer from
exposure because the instrument is just meant to detect and measure the amount of
ionizing radiation to which it has been exposed
Extremity Dosimeter - Answer- It is recommended that this be worn by an imaging
professional as a second monitor when performing fluoroscopic procedures that
require the hands to be near the primary x-ray beam.
Characteristic Curve - Answer- Graphically indicates the amount of radiation
exposure required to achieve a particular optical density on the radiation-dosimetry
film
Control Badge - Answer- Serves as a basis for comparison after film badges have
been returned to the monitoring company.
Because it is supposed to be kept in a radiation-free area within an imaging facility,
its optical density reading should be zero. After processing, if a reading greater than
zero is indicated, then the batch of personnel monitors may have been exposed to
radiation while in transit. To ensure that false readings are not recorded, the control
reading is reported to the health care facility. This reading, if different from zero,
must be subtracted from each of the remaining film badge readings in the batch to
ensure accuracy in exposure reporting.
Control Monitor - Answer- The OSL version of the control badge.
Serves as a basis of comparison with the remaining dosimeters after they have been
returned to the monitoring company for processing. The purpose of this is to
measure the background exposure during transportation, handling, and storage of
radiation monitors.
Densitometer - Answer- The instrument that is used to measure the optical
density of the film badge's exposed film packet.
Radiation interacting with the film in the badge causes the film to darken once it is
developed. After processing, the density, or degree of blackening, of the image of
the filters recorded on the dosimeter film is proportional to the amount of radiation
