RAD 110 - Principles of Radiographic Exposure

Credits: 1
Instructional Contact Hours: 1

Provides the theory and skills necessary to analyze the diagnostic quality of a radiograph and effectively manipulate exposure variables to produce a diagnostic radiograph. Students will use college algebra to solve radiographic equations. Introduces quality control of radiographic equipment. RAD 110 grade will be the same as RAD 110L grade.

Prerequisite(s): RAD 100, RAD 105, RAD 105L, RAD 108W, RAD 130, RAD 130L, LW 206A each with a “C” (2.0) minimum grade
Corequisite(s): RAD 110L, RAD 120W, RAD 122, RAD 180, RAD 180L, RAD 205W, LWA 206B, LWA 206C

Lecture Hours: 15 Lab Hours: 0
Meets MTA Requirement: None
Pass/NoCredit: No

Outcomes and Objectives

1. Discuss image quality standards.

Discuss practical considerations in setting imaging standards.
Define radiographic quality.
Discuss acceptance limits in image quality.

2. Analyze the factors affecting the photographic property of exposure to the IR.

Define radiographic/IR exposure.
Identify the acceptable range of radiographic/IR exposure.
Analyze the relationships of all factors affecting radiographic/IR exposure.
Assess the quality of the images related to radiographic/IR exposure.

3. Analyze the factors affecting the contrast of the radigraphic image.

Define radiographic gray scale/dynamic range.
Differentiate between narrow and wide dynamic range.
Explain the association between radiographic fog and visibility of detail.
Analyze the relationships of all factors utilizing the histogram graph.
Assess the quality of the images related to radiographic gray scale/dynamic range.

4. Analyze the factors related to the geometric property of recorded detail.

Compare/contrast visibility of detail and radiographic detail.
Define spatial resolution.
Identify the factors that produce geometric unsharpness.
Analyze the relationships of all factors affecting recorded detail.
Assess the quality of the images related to radiographic detail.

5. Analyze the factors related to the geometric property of distortion.

Define radiographic distortion.
Differentiate between size distortion and shape distortion.
Analyze the relationships of all factors affecting radiographic distortion.
Assess the quality of the images related to both size and shape distortion.
Discuss “wanted” distortion.

6. Produce radiographic images utilizing variable exposure factors
A. Critque images for overall radiographic quality

7. Utilize instrumentation and testing methods to perform quality assurance procedures
on the radiographic imaging system.

Discuss the relationship between quality assurance and quality control in radiography.
Describe the following processes: identification of imaging requirements; development of equipment specifications; selection of equipment; installation and testing of equipment; training of technical staff.
Describe the objectives and responsibilities of monitoring equipment performance.
Describe primary automatic film processor quality control monitoring and maintenance procedures.
Explain the data collection process and basic analysis involved in a repeat-rate analysis.
Describe a basic trouble shooting procedure.
Describe image acquisition errors for digital imaging.
Describe digital image artifacts.
Discuss quality assurance and maintenance issues for digital imaging.