Reducing Radiation Exposure

•There are three methods for reducing radiation exposure: time, distance, and shielding. All three of these methods can be used to keep radiation exposure to a minimum.

•The longer a person is exposed to a radiation source, the higher will be the dose received. To minimize the dose, reduce the time of exposure to the radiation. For example, ED nurses who do not have to stand beside a contaminated patient can minimize exposure by stepping close to the patient only when assistance is needed and stepping away as soon as they are done.

•In addition to minimizing the exposure time, the nurse can further reduce exposure by taking advantage of distance. Radiation dose rate falls off very quickly as the distance between the radiation source and the individual is increased. Time and distance are effective methods of minimizing dose.

•Another method of minimizing dose is through the use of shielding. Radiology personnel use leaded aprons to shield themselves from the x-rays that are scattered from the patient undergoing an x-ray procedure. Leaded aprons are not recommended and usually provide little shielding protection from the types of radiation expected from contaminated patients. An effective way to use shielding is to place radioactive materials removed from patients into lead containers called “pigs.” The thick lead walls of these containers absorb the radiation from the radioactive material.