Question

Due to the utilization of low kVp techniques, which of the following examinations result in reduced personnel exposure?

1) Mammogram
2) Chest x-ray
3) PA abdomen

Answer 1

Mammograms use low kVp techniques resulting in reduced personnel exposure compared to higher kVp examinations like CT scans. Chest x-rays also emit low doses of radiation, which contribute to lower personnel exposure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question addresses the impact of different x-ray procedures on personnel exposure to radiation, particularly in relation to the use of low kilovoltage peak (kVp) techniques. It is known that the use of improved techniques and faster films has helped lower the diagnostic doses of radiation in medical imaging. Specifically, a mammogram, which uses low kVp techniques, will result in reduced personnel exposure, much lower than that of higher kVp procedures like CT scans.

Chest x-rays offer the lowest doses, with about 0.1 mSv to the tissue affected and less than 5 percent scatter to non-imaged tissues. This is considerably lower than the doses from other procedures, which can reach up to about 10 mSv in a CT scan or around 5 mSv per dental x-ray. On this basis, we can conclude that mammograms and chest x-rays, utilizing low kVp techniques, would generally result in reduced personnel exposure compared to higher kVp examinations.