Exercise Number 1
RADIOGRAPHIC DARKROOM
Name:_____________________________________________
Score:______________
Course/Year/Section:_________________________________
Date:_______________
Introduction
The darkroom is a very busy place and must be designed for work. Processing of the latent image
takes place in a darkroom, a room designed to be functional and convenient. It is designed were
handling and storage of x-ray film happened.
Entrances for the darkroom must be specially designed to prevent accidental opening of the door.
Most darkrooms have locked doors to prevent sudden opening.
In as much as x-ray film is more sensitive after exposure to radiation and before processing takes
place, attention to the lightning system for the darkroom is very important. Low or dim lightning
is used with special filters to prevent exposure to x-ray film. Walls are generally a light fray or
ivory color to provide reflection from the safe lightning system.
In a film-screen system, the processing room is one of the most important rooms in the radiology
department because it is here where the latent image is converted into visible image. In this type
of imaging system, radiology starts and ends in the darkroom. Radiography starts by loading the
cassette with film and it ends by unloading the film and ready for processing. Standard should be
set for the safety of the film and the radiographer as well, therefore, radiographers must be familiar
with the processor, film storage area, and the protocols inside the darkroom.
Today, the darkroom is rarely used in hospitals and clinics. There are other alternative methods in
image processing that does not require a processing room or a darkroom. One example is a daylight
system. When a daylight system is used, the radiologic technologist needs only to position a
cassette with an exposed film into the appropriate slot of this system. The film is automatically
extracted from the information to the computer with the acquired image.
Although darkroom is seldom used in hospital and clinic standards, it is still being practiced in the
hospitals and private clinics. The knowledge of the use in wet chemistry is an essential foundation
of being a student in radiography to understand the principles of latent image formation in the
digital era.
Objectives:
At the end of the activities students will be able to do the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Draw a typical darkroom layout
Describe the equipment located inside the darkroom
Discuss appropriate darkroom requirements
Practice dark adaptation for working in the darkroom
Activity
1. Darkroom adaptation
Procedure:
a. Inside the darkroom, close the door and turn off the overhead illumination. Allow your
eyes to adjust the darkened room for five minutes. Dark adaptation allows for the human
eyes to change from daylight vision to night vision, or the ability to see things in a room
that is very dimly lit.
b. After five minutes, turn the safelight system on. Everyone should now be able to
visualize the work counter, film storage cabinet, and feed tray.
c. After dark adaptation is complete, locate the different box film sizes and their placement.
2. Explain appropriate darkroom requirements
A. Size and location
B. Construction considerations
C. Entrances
D. Ventilation and lighting
E. Drainage system
F. List and describe at least (5) five equipment/materials located inside the darkroom.
Assignment
Radiographic Darkroom
Instruction:
1. Make at least two (2) darkroom layouts. First layout coming from any source or
reference. Second, draw the darkroom layout of radiologic technology laboratory.
A
B
2. Compare both darkroom designs. What have you observed?
Exercise Number 2
THE ART AND SCIENCE OF RADIOGRAPHY
Name:_____________________________________________
Score:______________
Course/Year/Section:_________________________________
Date:_______________
Introduction
It is very essential that students be oriented regarding the competencies and responsibilities of a
radiographer in a healthcare team. They should learn the necessary terms to better understand.
Students should be able to appreciate the art and science of radiography.
Radiographic imaging can be described as an art and science. The term “art” refers to the
production of something that is very well done. The American Heritage Dictionary defines art as
“a system of principles and methods employed in the performance of certain activities.”
The art of radiography implies there is need for specific skills in performance. As a science,
radiography requires study and theoretical explanation of natural phenomena. Science implies
knowledge, especially knowledge gained through experiences.
Radiography is an art and science acquired by study and practice in the use of x-rays to produce
images.
Objectives:
At the end of the activity, student will be able to:
1. Define a radiological terminology.
2. Discuss other applications of radiography.
3. Describe radiographic imaging as an “art” and “science”.
Activity
Answer the following:
1. Define Radiograph
2. Define Radiography
3. Define Radiographer
4. Discuss radiography as science. Give an example.
5. Discuss radiography as an Art. Give an example.