HPTC RT Exam study plan

Define the three radiation protection principles (time, distance, shielding) and compute dose-rate change when distance doubles using the inverse-square relationship

List the annual occupational effective dose limit, public dose limit, and eye-lens and extremity limits, and state which applies to a pregnant radiation therapist

Explain ALARA program elements, including dose-monitoring badges, area surveys, and workload-based shielding calculations

Describe the linear-quadratic and target/survival-curve concepts that connect fractionation to radiobiology, and distinguish alpha/beta tissue behavior

Classify common radiation-induced acute and late effects by tissue type and time course, and identify tolerance-dose ranges for key organs

Apply the 5 Rs of radiobiology to explain why hyperfractionation and accelerated fractionation change outcomes

Interpret a survey meter reading and determine whether an area is a controlled or uncontrolled zone under typical regulatory thresholds

Summarize emergency procedures for a source or machine malfunction, including patient removal and dosimetry notification

Trace the simulation workflow from CT acquisition through isocenter marking, indexing, and transfer to the treatment planning system

Explain the role of immobilization devices, contrast timing, and 4D-CT for respiratory motion assessment

Compare photon and electron dose-deposition principles and identify when each modality is preferred

Define GTV, CTV, ITV, and PTV and construct a PTV from a given set of margins and uncertainties

Compute a point dose from a simple percentage-depth-dose or inverse-square setup and check it against a plan value

Evaluate dose-volume histogram metrics (D95, D2cc, V20, mean dose) for target coverage and organ-at-risk sparing in a sample plan

Explain plan-summing, field junctions, and hot/cold spot causes at match lines

Describe patient-specific QA: phantom measurement, portal dosimetry, and log-file analysis, and what each detects

Identify sources of setup and dosimetric uncertainty and how each is accounted for in margins

Sequence a standard treatment setup: patient identification, immobilization, isocenter alignment, imaging, and shift application

Explain image-guidance options (kV, CBCT, MV, surface imaging) and match their strengths to clinical scenarios

List daily, monthly, and annual QA tests for a linear accelerator and state the tolerance category each protects

Diagnose common machine faults (output drift, flatness/symmetry, MLC calibration, laser misalignment) from symptom to likely cause

Describe management of skin, mucosal, and fatigue reactions using graded toxicity scales and evidence-based interventions

Outline assessment and escalation for a patient with fever and neutropenia or new neurologic symptoms during treatment

Explain informed consent, patient education, and documentation requirements for a course of radiotherapy

Identify psychosocial needs and appropriate referral pathways, including financial and transportation barriers

Apply the professional code of conduct to scenarios involving patient privacy, social media, and capacity to consent

Distinguish scope-of-practice boundaries for the radiation therapist and identify when to escalate to nursing, physics, or the physician

Analyze an ethical conflict (treatment error disclosure, cultural refusal, or impaired colleague) using a structured decision framework

Describe error-reporting culture, root-cause analysis basics, and just-culture principles

Complete two full-length timed practice exams and log every missed item by domain

Re-teach the three weakest domains using the reference sheets and worksheets built in weeks 1 through 7

Recite from memory the key dose limits, QA tolerances, volume definitions, and toxicity grading thresholds

Build a final-week review card set limited to facts that were missed more than once