RAD 320 - Imaging I

1. Demonstrate fundamental and essential concepts of radiologic science
2. Describe matter, energy characteristics and behavior.
3. Identify the unique features and behaviors of electromagnetic energy.
4. Describe the five interactions with matter, and state which are used in diagnostic imaging
5. Describe and apply the exposure factors that produce high quality diagnostic radiographs.
6. Explain the production of scatter radiation and how it affects a radiograph.
7. Interpret various radiographic techniques and their applications

Course Objectives:

Unit 1 - Demonstrate fundamental and essential concepts of Radiologic science

• Describe the characteristics of matter and energy
• Identify the various forms of energy.
• Define electromagnetic radiation and ionizing radiation.
• State the relative intensity of ionizing radiation from various sources
• Identify the discovery of x-rays, who and when
• List the concepts of basic radiation protection.
• Memorizing scientific systems of measurement and their basic math applications
• Selecting the quantities of radiologic science and their units

Unit 2 - Describe matter, energy characteristics and behavior.

• Relate the history of the atom
• Identify the structure of the atom
• Describe electron shells and instability within atomic structure
• Identify the interaction of photons with matter
• Describe radioactivity and the characteristics of alpha and beta particles.
• Differentiate between two forms of ionizing radiation particulate and electromagnetic

Unit 3 - Identify the unique features and behaviors of electromagnetic energy.

• Identify the properties of photons
• Categorize the properties of a wavelength
• Memorize the basic layout of the electromagnetic spectrum and range of electromagnetic energy
• Assess the differences between ionizing radiation
• Select verbiage used when describing a radiograph or in the radiology department
• State and apply the Inverse Square Law (ISL)
• Define wave theory and quantum theory
• Discuss the electromagnetic spectrum

Unit 4 - Describe the five interactions with matter, and state which are used in diagnostic imaging

• Describe each of the five x-ray interactions with matter.
• List the x-ray interactions with matter that are used in diagnostic imaging
• Explain the diagnostic interactions and their effect on contrast and density
• Explain the diagnostic interactions and their effect with different exposure factors
• Define differential absorption and describe its effect on image contrast.
• Describe the effect of atomic number and mass density of tissue on differential absorption
• Identify the radiologic contrast agents that are used to image some tissues and organs.
• Distinguish the difference between absorption and attenuation.
• Identify and explain the radiographic terms used when discussing x-ray interactions

Unit 5 - Describe the exposure factors that produce high quality diagnostic radiographs.

• Define radiographic image quality, resolution, noise, and speed and how they apply to radiographs.
• Interpret the shape of the characteristic curve.
• Identify the toe, shoulder, and straight-line portion of the characteristic curve.
• Identify and resolve shape distortion, magnification, and focal spot blur.
• Paraphrase the anode heel effect
• Analyze the subject factors that affect image quality.
• Examine the tools and techniques available to create high-quality images.
• Choose appropriate factors in beam restriction, beam filtration, field size, grids, kVp, mAs, SID, OID, patient thickness, FSS, voltage and how they affect a radiograph

Unit 6 - Explain the production of scatter radiation and how it affects a radiograph.

• Identify the x-rays that constitute image-forming radiation.
• Explain how kVp, field size, and patient thickness effects a radiograph and contribute to scatter radiation.
• Recognize the relationship between scatter radiation and image contrast
• Describe three devices developed to minimize scatter radiation.
• Describe beam restriction and its effect on patient radiation dose and image quality.
• Describe grid construction and its measures of performance.
• Evaluate the use of various grids in relation to patient dose.
• Recognize the different grid types, and different grid problems.

Unit 7 - Interpret various radiographic techniques and their applications

• List the four prime exposure factors
• Describe milliampere seconds (mAs) and kilovolt peak (kVp) in relation to x-ray beam quantity and quality.
• Demonstrate proficiency in how distance affects x-ray beam quality and quantity.
• Identify characteristics of the imaging system that affect x-ray beam quantity and quality.
• List the four patient factors and explain their effects on radiographic technique
• Identify image-quality factors and explain how they influence the characteristics of a radiograph
• Restate the different high-voltage generators and their various abilities.
• Identify different patient factors, such as pathology and thickness
• Identify and describe the differences in techniques and how they affect OD, contrast, detain, distortion, and quality.
• State three methods of automatic exposure controls
• Explain tomography radiography
• Describe magnification radiography and its uses