Which interaction may result in occupational exposure for a radiographer due to scatter during fluoroscopic or mobile procedures?

Which interaction may result in occupational exposure for a radiographer due to scatter during fluoroscopic or mobile procedures?

• A. Photoelectric interaction
• B. Compton interaction
• C. Coherent scatter
• D. Pair production

Answer: (B)

Scattered radiation causing occupational exposure during fluoroscopy or mobile imaging mainly comes from Compton scattering. In this interaction, an X-ray photon collides with an outer-shell electron, is deflected, and loses energy. The scattered photon travels in many directions, including toward the radiographer, which is why this interaction is the primary source of staff exposure in these procedures. Other interactions either involve absorption (photoelectric effect) or occur with very low probability at diagnostic energies (coherent scatter) or require much higher energies (pair production), so they contribute far less to occupational scatter.

Scattered radiation causing occupational exposure during fluoroscopy or mobile imaging mainly comes from Compton scattering. In this interaction, an X-ray photon collides with an outer-shell electron, is deflected, and loses energy. The scattered photon travels in many directions, including toward the radiographer, which is why this interaction is the primary source of staff exposure in these procedures. Other interactions either involve absorption (photoelectric effect) or occur with very low probability at diagnostic energies (coherent scatter) or require much higher energies (pair production), so they contribute far less to occupational scatter.