Question

Which are methods of reducing exposure to ionizing radiation? Check all that apply.

using a lead apron during medical X-rays
picking up radioactive material by hand to avoid dropping it
taking an X-ray image of large areas of the body at once
using a short burst of X-rays to take an image
taking an image of the smallest possible area

Answer 1

Correct answers: using a lead apron during medical X‑rays; using a short burst of X‑rays to take an image; taking an image of the smallest possible area.

Brief rationale:
- Lead apron = shielding — reduces dose to tissues outside the beam.
- Short burst = minimize exposure time (time principle).
- Smallest possible area = collimation — limits the volume of tissue irradiated.

Not correct:
- Picking up radioactive material by hand increases personal exposure and is unsafe; use tools, gloves, tongs and avoid direct handling.
- Imaging large areas increases the amount of tissue exposed and therefore increases dose.