Final answer:
In medicine, radiation safety principles are applied to limit the amount of radiation deposited in living tissue during imaging procedures, thereby reducing potential harm. One method is to use isotopes with short half-lives to limit radiation dose to the patient. Short half-life isotopes decay quickly, reducing the duration of radiation exposure.
Step-by-step explanation:
In medicine, when radiation safety principles are applied correctly during imaging procedures, the amount of radiation deposited in living tissue by radiation can be limited, thereby reducing the potential for harmful effects.
One of the methods used to limit radiation dose to the patient in medical imaging is to employ isotopes with short half-lives. Isotopes with short half-lives decay quickly, which means they emit radiation for a shorter period of time. By using isotopes with short half-lives, the amount of radiation exposure to the patient is reduced.
For example, when performing a nuclear medicine scan using a radioactive isotope with a short half-life, the radioactive substance decays rapidly, emitting radiation for a short period of time. This allows the healthcare professional to obtain the necessary diagnostic information while minimizing the radiation dose to the patient.