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Attitudes And Practices Of Perioperative Nurses Effecting The Election Of Wearing Protection From Occupational Radiation Exposure, Jane Leonard

Nursing Theses and Capstone Projects

Health effects from exposure to radiation are unpredictable. On a daily bases, nurses working in the perioperative setting are exposed to medical x-rays (ionizing radiation) and are vulnerable to its carcinogenic effects. Regardless of the potential health consequences, the use of protective equipment remains inconsistent among perioperative nurses. Most research studies regarding nurses' occupational health risks either failed to include or separate radiation exposure from chemicals and blood borne pathogens. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the attitudes and practices of perioperative nurses that influence their decisions to wear or not wear radiation protection equipment …