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Radiation Physics and Safety - #20460


Lab 1 (pdf)
Lab 2 (pdf)
Lab 3 (pdf)
Lab 4 (pdf)
Lab 5 (pdf)
Lab 6 (pdf)

 

 
Link Larson, DC
2.5
45
2.0
1.0

The physics involved with the production of the actual X-ray photon and the radiographic image are presented along with other aspects associated with diagnostic imaging.
Please select from the list on the right.

The Institution-wide learning goals define the common ground that unites the programs within the university. They are purposefully broad so that the various colleges and schools can continue to develop their unique identities through varying ways in which the goals are met.

  1. Effective Communication
    Graduates will demonstrate effective verbal, non-verbal, and written communication skills in a wide variety of contexts, including collaborative activities.
  2. Self Directed and Lifelong Learning
    Graduates will be aware of the limits of one’s personal knowledge and experience and have an intellectual interest in scholarly and creative endeavors. Graduates will actively set appropriate learning goals, pursue them, and apply the knowledge gained.
  3. Ethical Reasoning
    Graduates will demonstrate a willingness to recognize the values of others while maintaining one’s own integrity, and act ethically and professionally in all endeavors.
  4. Individuals, Communities and Cultures
    Graduates will demonstrate awareness and sensitivity to the cultural and health practices of individuals and communities. Graduates will be able to identify appropriate health related resources.
  5. Service to the Community
    Graduates will understand and value the benefits of service to the community.
  6. Influence of Mind, Body and Spirit on Health
    Graduates will recognize the inter-relationship of the mind, body and spirit and the influence of extrinsic factors on an individual’s health.
  7. Critical Thought and Knowledge Acquisition
    Graduates will acquire, appraise and apply scientific information. Graduates will contextually organize and synthesize relevant information to address an issue or problem.
  8. Competence in one's Discipline
    Graduates will demonstrate competence of appropriate depth and scope for one's discipline.

Course Objectives
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  1. Understand the basic components and function of a diagnostic imaging system.
  2. Comprehend factors affecting radiographic imaging, including proper and improper radiographic techniques, film processing, and film artifacts.
  3. Comprehend various factors affecting radiographic qualities of density, contrast, and detail.
  4. Recognize and correct problems with radiographic quality.
  5. Comprehend the biological effects of ionizing radiation.
  6. Comprehend and implement methods of radiation protection and dose reduction for patients, employees and the general public.
  7. Comprehend the basic principles and applications of various types of advanced diagnostic imaging as they apply to chiropractic practices.
Materials
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A. Required Text(s):
  1. Lecture notes
  2. Handouts
  3. Radiographs
  4. Essentials of Diagnostic Imaging Guebert, Pirtle, and Yochum

B. Recommended Text(s):
None

C. Required Materials for Lab:
None
Assignments
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  1. Read all assigned readings and handouts.
  2. Attend lectures and labs
Attendance
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Students are strongly encouraged to attend lecture and lab. When absent, the student is responsible for obtaining information covered. Poor attendance usually results in lower academic achievement.
Grading Criteria
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Attendance for lab (1.0 per) 10 points
Midterm Written Examination 100 points
Final Written Examination (cumulative) 100 points

Guaranteed grades are as follows:

A = 94 - 100%
B = 84 - 93%
C = 75 - 83%
D = 65 - 74%
F = below 65%
Course Competencies
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-

COGNITIVE DOMAIN


Students will be able to evaluate the radiograph by visual inspection for:
  1. Changes in radiographic density and possible contributing factors.
  2. Changes in radiographic contrast.
  3. Changes in radiographic detail/resolution.
  4. Recognition of artifacts.
  5. Recognition of images from CT, MRI, Ultrasound and Nuclear Medicine


Conditions:
None

PSYCHOMOTOR DOMAIN


Students will be able to construct and follow diagnostic process in evaluating plain film radiographs for the following:
  1. Radiographic Density
  2. Contrast
  3. Detail
  4. Distortion
  5. Artifacts


AFFECTIVE DOMAIN


Students will demonstrate integrity, sensitivity, respect, courtesy, compassion and professionalism at all times, both in lectures and labs, and will be able to apply the history, physical examination and treatment techniques learned in this course to any patient while demonstrating those same qualities.
Weekly Calendar of Learning Objectives
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Week Dates Topics/Learning objectives
Week 1 -- Lec: Introduction - Review course syllabus, conduct, and goals, discuss the atom, electromagnetic spectrum, Roentgen's discovery, and the properties of X-rays.
Lab: Discuss radiolucency, radiopacity, view an X-ray suite and components of an X-ray machine.
Reading: Essentials of Diagnostic Imaging pgs 31-33
Week 2 -- Lec: Review basics of electricity; discuss components of an X-ray tube, how X-rays are made, controlling factors; milliamperes (mA), kilovoltage (kVp), time (seconds).
Lab: Effect of mAs on radiographic density.
Reading: Essentials of Diagnostic Imaging; pgs. 12-20; 28-31; 113-116; 122
Week 3 -- Lec: Five interactions of X-rays with matter; discuss absorption and attenuation factors, relationship to pathology and radiographic density.
Lab: Anode heel effect, effects of kVp on density
Reading: Essentials of Diagnostic Imaging; pgs. 34-36; 40-50; 122-123
Week 4 -- Lec: Discussion of scatter: causes, effects on density and contrast, uses of collimation, grids, airgap technique, kVp and compression in reduction of scatter.
Lab: Effects of kVp on contrast, absorption,and scatter
Reading: Essentials of Diagnostic Imaging; pgs. 6-12; 126-136
Week 5 -- Lec: Discuss film characteristics; formation of the latent image, film processing; manual and automatic; the dark room; filtration.
Lab: Collimation, grids, air gap technique; "too light" films.
Reading: Essentials of Diagnostic Imaging; pgs. 95; 101-111
Week 6 -- MIDTERM - 50 questions, multiple choice, T/F, 100 points
Week 7 -- Lec: Discuss optical density; D log E curve; film speed; film contrast; effects of developing.
Lab: Sensitometry, densitometry, video on use.
Reading: Essentials of Diagnostic Imaging; pgs. 81-96; 172-188
Week 8 -- Lec: Discuss intensifying screens; effects on radiation exposure and on resolution.
Lab: Effects of screens.
Reading: Essentials of Diagnostic Imaging; pgs. 97-100
Week 9 -- Lec: Discuss detail, distortion, magnification, factors that affect; motion, distance (OFD, TFD), screens, focal spot size.
Lab: Factors that affect detail.
Week 10 -- Lec: Discuss radiobiology; acute, latent somatic effects, genetic effects on the human; discuss developmental, teratogenic, carcinogenic and genetic effects on the 3 stages of embryonic/fetal development.
Lab: Inverse square law, quality control
Reading: Essentials of Diagnostic Imaging; pgs. 163-172
Week 11 -- Lec: Discuss units of radiation, REMS, RADS; how to minimize dose to the patient; the radiation worker; the public; definition of a legal film.
Lab: Demonstrate shielding technique.
Reading: Essentials of Diagnostic Imaging; pgs. 53-78
Week 12 -- Lec: Discuss Computerized Tomography; Axial Tomography; Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Lab: Super Tech
Reading: Essentials of Diagnostic Imaging; pgs. 138-161; 172-217
Week 13 -- Lec: Nuclear Medicine; Ultrasound.
Lab: Artifacts
Reading: Essentials of Diagnostic Imaging; pgs. 189-212
Week 14 --
 FINAL EXAMS AS SCHEDULED
Week 15 --
 FINAL EXAMS AS SCHEDULED
Please Note
This schedule of lecture and lab topics and quizzes and exams may be changed during the course of the trimester as circumstances require. Whenever possible, such changes will be announced in class before the date and time in question. You are responsible for anything that transpires during lectures and labs, even when you are unable to attend. In the event that you miss a class session, make sure you check with a classmate about any announcements or schedule changes which may have been made. Makeup exams are allowed only according to the policies described in the current student handbook, which is available in the Student Affairs office.
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Last updated: 29 april, 2006
 

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