CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

Where should a technician ideally stand when conducting a fluoroscopy exam?

1. Directly in front of the patient

2. 90 degrees to the patient, 6 feet or 3 meters away

3. At the foot of the patient

4. Close to the image intensifier

The correct answer is: 90 degrees to the patient, 6 feet or 3 meters away

When conducting a fluoroscopy exam, the technician should ideally stand at 90 degrees to the patient and at a distance of 6 feet (or 3 meters) away. This position is significant for several reasons. First, standing at a right angle to the x-ray beam minimizes radiation exposure to the technician. The use of distance is an essential principle in radiation safety; as the distance from the radiation source increases, the exposure decreases. This is based on the inverse square law, which states that radiation intensity decreases with increasing distance from the source. Second, being 6 feet away enhances safety without compromising the technician's ability to monitor and assist during the procedure. This distance allows for effective viewing of the monitors without being too close to the radiation source. Moreover, this position avoids direct line-of-sight to the beam, thus protecting the technician from scattered radiation, which is a common concern in fluoroscopy due to the nature of the imaging process involving continuous x-ray exposure. This combination of factors makes this standing position the most suitable for conducting a fluoroscopy exam while adhering to safety protocols and minimizing radiation exposure.