DHA Radiology / Radiographer study plan

Define absorbed dose, equivalent dose and effective dose, and convert values between gray, sievert and rem using three worked calculations

Calculate changes in dose rate with distance and shielding by applying the inverse-square law and half-value layer relationships

State the DHA and ICRP occupational, public and pregnancy dose limits and apply each to four short scenario cards

Label the components of a rotating-anode X-ray tube and explain how mA, kVp, filtration and rectification shape the emitted spectrum

Distinguish stochastic from deterministic effects and classify ten named radiation effects into the correct category

Apply the law of Bergonie and Tribondeau and cell-cycle radiosensitivity to rank six tissues from most to least radiosensitive

Describe practical ALARA controls for a general radiography room, covering collimation, gonad shielding, exposure factor selection and repeat avoidance

Sequence the positioning steps for erect PA chest and supine abdomen radiography, stating landmarks, centring point, exposure factors and acceptance criteria

Explain occupational dose monitoring with TLD and OSL badges, including badge placement, reporting intervals and investigation triggers

Outline the legal and practical steps to take when a patient declares pregnancy before an X-ray examination

Trace the signal path from generator to displayed image for both computed radiography and direct digital radiography

Explain how DICOM, PACS, RIS and HL7 interact by mapping the data flow from order entry to report sign-off

Perform positioning for upper limb, lower limb and lumbar spine projections, stating landmarks, centring and image criteria for each

Compare grid ratio and frequency, and calculate the required mAs using grid conversion factors for three scenarios

Describe automatic exposure control behaviour, including chamber selection, minimum response time and causes of overexposure

Evaluate image quality using spatial resolution, contrast resolution, noise, signal-to-noise ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio

Classify artefacts by origin across CR, DR and screen-film systems, and state the corrective action for each

Design a quality assurance schedule for a general radiography room, listing daily, weekly and annual tests with tolerance limits

Calculate repeat and reject rates from a supplied data set, and justify improvement actions from the results

Apply acceptance criteria to skull, pelvis and paediatric projections and identify the corrective step for each failed criterion

Identify mediastinal, intracranial, abdominal and pelvic structures on axial CT and MRI descriptions without reference material

Correlate eight common pathologies, including pneumothorax, pleural effusion, bowel obstruction, fracture and space-occupying lesion, with their imaging appearances

Explain contrast enhancement phases in CT and the timing principles used to select arterial, portal venous and delayed acquisitions

Apply quality assurance principles to CT and MRI, covering uniformity, noise, spatial resolution, slice thickness and common artefacts

Relate basic physiological parameters such as renal function, hydration and cardiac output to contrast timing and image quality

Classify iodinated, gadolinium-based, barium and gas contrast agents, and select the appropriate agent for five stated examinations

Recognise mild, moderate and severe contrast reactions and state the immediate management sequence, including when to call for emergency support

Screen for contrast contraindications by checking eGFR, metformin use, pregnancy, prior reaction and asthma history

Demonstrate standard precautions by selecting correct hand hygiene moments, personal protective equipment and isolation signage for four scenarios

Apply the Spaulding classification to disinfection and sterilisation choices, and state the post-exposure steps after a needlestick injury

Apply the elements of valid informed consent, including capacity assessment, voluntariness and documentation, to four case vignettes

Explain confidentiality, patient access to records and permissible disclosure under DHA requirements and local health law

Describe scope of practice, professional boundaries, incident reporting and just-culture principles in radiography practice

Adapt communication style for anxious, paediatric, elderly and non-English-speaking patients, and identify when to involve an interpreter

Re-check radiation protection topics by reviewing dose limits, shielding design, pregnancy declaration and dose investigation thresholds

Complete two full-length timed mock examinations under exam conditions and record every incorrect or guessed item

Re-derive the core calculations for dose, half-value layer, magnification, grid conversion and exposure maintenance without notes

Recall from memory the dose limits, key quality assurance tolerances and the contrast reaction management sequence

Prioritise the ten weakest objectives from the error log and remediate each with a targeted review and a rewritten flashcard

Integrate positioning, physics and protection reasoning by answering 20 applied scenario items that combine at least two domains