Operator exposures from CT examinations are typically very low.

• A. Very low
• B. Moderate
• C. High
• D. Unknown

Answer: (A)

Operator exposure from CT exams is kept very low because the operator is usually in a shielded control room and remote from the primary beam. The X-ray beam is directed at the patient, with shielding and barriers protecting the operator. Any exposure comes mainly from scattered radiation, which is greatly reduced by distance, shielding, and the physics of scatter decreasing with distance from the patient. Modern CT rooms are designed with leaded glass and thick walls, and the operator uses remote controls, minimizing time spent in the room during scanning. While there is some risk of exposure if the operator must enter the room, it remains much lower than for many other imaging procedures.