Iowa Registered Dental Assistant (RDA) Practice Exam

What are the functions of a lead apron and a thyroid collar during radiographic procedures?

To balance the patient during imaging. To shield the patient’s body and thyroid from scatter radiation and reduce radiation exposure. To improve image sharpness. To increase radiation dose for better image.

Correct Answer:

To shield the patient’s body and thyroid from scatter radiation and reduce radiation exposure.

Explanation:

Protecting tissues from scatter radiation is the main idea behind shielding during radiographic procedures. The lead apron covers the trunk—the chest, abdomen, and pelvis—absorbing scatter photons that could reach internal organs, thereby reducing overall radiation exposure. The thyroid collar provides focused protection for the neck, shielding the thyroid gland, a radiosensitive tissue, from scatter radiation. These shields don’t affect the primary X-ray beam or image quality; they’re there to lower incidental exposure. They aren’t for balancing the patient, improving image sharpness, or increasing dose.

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