Radiation Protection/Dose Reduction Module Presentation Critique - Essay Example

Although the presentation had been created specifically for health practitioners, concerned parties (support family groups) may also benefit from the informative content provided by the radiological information presentation. Pediatric Impact of CT Scan As the aim of presentation centers on radiological awareness in pediatric cases, three main objectives have been explicitly expressed: factors behind enhanced susceptibility of children to radiation in CT scans, the dose-related parameters with radiological imaging, and threats of constant exposure to CT scans.

The presentation posits the difference between pediatric and adult cases, as anatomical structure and natural defense of the former is immature compared to the latter. The distinguishing aspects led most experts to evaluate the risks of radiation exposure through formulated dose calculations on children on CT scans. In further demonstration, the threats to well-being of pediatric patients are considered, portraying the odds of engaging in CT scans against its diagnostic benefits. The report covers radiologic basics--the process in cellular damages, calculation on dosage risks, and pulling dimensions that may threaten or save young lives.

The presentation sheds light on two cellular alterations associated with CT scan radiation exposure: stochastic (random) and genetic effects. As radiation from CT scans enters the body, random injury to fast-growing cells common in young patients can occur, potentially leading to cancerous cells. As affirmed by Medina, Applegate, and Blackmore (2009), such effect can indeed start the carcinogenesis process through low-level radiation imaging, as in CT scans-- enhanced with increments in radiation dosage.

Moreover, radiation may target cellular tissues of young patients. The DNA materials contained in developmental genes, as insisted by Brenner and Hall (2007), can be disrupted by radiation outputs, leading to structural impairments--allowing opportunities to turn damaged cells into carcinogenic ones. Although approximating dosage risk of radiologic exposure is established in adult patients, pediatric calculation is another matter. The presentation exhibited the reality of higher radiation dose given to children, despite pediatric dosage estimations.

Several aspects are said to affect radiation dose: “number of scans.size of the patient, the axial scan range, etc. “(Brenner & Hall, 2007, p. 2278). By this, body size and structure of patient do make significant difference, where organs’ sizes are slight, with closer distance from one another, and with less surface layers (Frush, Donelly, & Rosen, 2003). More radiation is, thereby, absorbed in smaller organ compartments, penetrating the thin protective layers, and easily spreading to nearby tissue organs of close proximity.

In the long run, infiltrations may disrupt organ functions, causing fatal conditions, such as cancer. In so far, the higher amount of absorbed radiation and anatomic structure of children serve as