Bushong: Radiologic Science for Technologists, 11th Edition

Chapter 35: Health Physics

Answers to Challenge Questions

1. a. The scientific discipline of radiation protection.

b. Tenth-value layer. That thickness of material that will reduce radiation intensity to
one-tenth its unattenuated value.
c. NCRP is an acronym for National Council on Radiation Protection and
Measurement.
d. Concept that attempts to specify the overall risk of harm to an organism by
accounting for two variables with the use of appropriate weighting factors.
e. As low as reasonably achievable.
f. A numerical index of the relative radiosensitivity of various tissues.
g. Early people on the scene of a radiologic terrorism event who must make the first
decisions.
h. Considered the first x-ray fatality. An assistant to Thomas Edison.
i. The name of the World War II project to develop the atomic bomb.
j. LNT is an acronym for linear nonthreshold dose-response relationship.

2. Dose = dose rate ´ time.

3. To help ensure that the radiologist is aware of the fluoroscopic exposure time and
prevent exceeding the 5-minute limit of exposure.

4. (35 uGya/mA/min)(3.2 min)(1.5 mA) = 168 uGya.

5. Minimize time, maximize distance, use shielding material.

6. (42 uGya/mAs) ´ (300 mA ´ 0.2 s) = 2.52 mGya.

7. (42 uGya/mAs) ´ (3.2 min ´ 60 s/min) ´ 1.5 mA = 12,096 uGya. = 12 mGya.

8. The three cardinal principles of radiation protection to be applied in diagnostic

radiology are as follows: minimize the time of radiation exposure, maximize the distance
from the source, wear protective apparel.

9. (1 mGya/hour) ´ (1 hour/6) ´ (1 m/4 m)2 ´ (1/4) = 2.6 uGya.

10. The Manhattan Project.

11. Effective dose applies only to thyroid = 0.9 mSv ´ 0.05 = 0.045 mSv = 45 uSv.

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Answers to Challenge Questions 35-2

12. Life expectancy nearly doubled, and much of that increased longevity is due to
medical imaging.

13. 1 TVL = 3.3 HVL.

14. First attend to the medical needs of the injured. Then attempt to determine if
radioactive contamination has occurred.

15. The whole-body dose that carries the same risk as a partial-body exposure.

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