Final answer:
An operator's exposure to scattered radiation during fluoroscopy is directly proportional to the patient exposure. Factors such as radiation type, energy level, and protection measures like time, distance, and shielding, affect the exposure. The biological effect of radiation is related to the dose in rads, type of radiation, and tissue affected.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fluoroscopic operator exposure to scattered radiation is directly proportional to the patient exposure. The amount of scattered radiation an operator is likely to be exposed to increases as the patient is exposed to higher doses of radiation. This exposure is also influenced by the type of radiation and its energy, with higher energy photons being more penetrating. Important factors for radiation protection include minimizing the time spent in a radiation environment, maximizing the distance from the radiation source, and using adequate shielding.
Regarding the dose in rads and its effects, they depend on the type of ionizing radiation and the type of tissue exposed. Ionizing energy is deposited through a series of ionizations requiring a certain amount of energy, linking the number of ion pairs formed to the amount of energy deposited. The concentrated damage is harder for organisms to repair, making short-range particles more biologically effective. This is expressed in terms of RBE (relative biological effectiveness) or QF (quality factor), leading to the use of another dose unit, the rem (roentgen equivalent man), which is defined as the dose in rads multiplied by the RBE.