There are several strategies that nurses can employ to follow the ALARA principle effectively:
1. Time: Minimize the amount of time spent exposed to radiation. Nurses should only be in the radiology suite when absolutely necessary and should expedite procedures to reduce exposure time.
2. Distance: Maintain a safe distance from radiation sources. The further away a nurse is from the source, the lower the exposure. In practice, this means standing behind protective barriers or using remote controls to operate radiological equipment.
3. Shielding: Use appropriate shielding to protect against radiation. This includes wearing lead aprons, thyroid shields, and lead glasses. Additionally, ensuring that patients are adequately shielded can significantly reduce their exposure.
