Final answer:
Diagnostic imaging personnel have the true responsibility to ensure radiation safety, managing risks such as the potential creation of cancerous cells from overexposure to radiation. They minimize exposure using principles like ALARA and employ practices. The correct option is (A) True.
Step-by-step explanation:
Diagnostic imaging personnel have a critical responsibility to ensure radiation safety during all medical radiation procedures, which is true. Exposure to medical radiation comes with risks because the radiation from diagnostic tests can potentially cause changes at the cellular level. Such changes can include the creation of cancerous cells if tissues are overexposed to radiation, such as X-rays in large doses. While in limited and controlled doses, X-rays and other forms of ionizing radiation are incredibly useful for visualizing internal body structures, the principle of 'as low as reasonably achievable' (ALARA) always guides radiologic technology to minimize exposure.
In therapeutic contexts, radiation is used to treat diseases by directly targeting diseased cells, which differs from diagnostic uses where the aim is to minimize the radiation dose to only what is necessary for image formation. Diagnostic medical applications include techniques like PET scans, where a radioactive isotope is administered to the patient, and radiation detectors outside the body capture the emanating gamma rays to generate detailed images.
To manage radiation exposure, professionals employ practices such as using shielding materials, maintaining a safe distance, and limiting exposure time. For instance, the use of isotopes with shorter half-lives in medical imaging helps to reduce the radiation dose by ensuring that the radioactive material decays more quickly, thereby exposing the patient to radiation for a shorter period.
The advancement of technology has also helped to reduce overall exposure, as more sensitive detectors and improved imaging techniques necessitate less radiation to achieve high-quality diagnostic images.