Radiation effects: prodromal phase: practice question

A Radiology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Radiology · Radiation effects: prodromal phase

Sample item

After an industrial radiography source accident, one worker vomits within 30 minutes and another vomits 6 hours later. What does the earlier onset of nausea and vomiting indicate?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

B. A higher absorbed dose, with a worse prognosis

In acute radiation syndrome, the time to onset of vomiting and its severity are used for early triage. The shorter the latent period before the prodrome, the higher the dose received, and onset within an hour suggests a serious exposure.

Option by option

  • A. A lower absorbed dose, with a better prognosis

    Later onset, not earlier onset, suggests a lower dose.

  • B. A higher absorbed dose, with a worse prognosis (correct)

    Correct. Earlier prodrome means higher dose.

  • C. No relation to dose

    Timing of the prodrome is a useful dose indicator.

  • D. Chemical poisoning rather than radiation

    Vomiting after a radiation accident is attributed to the prodromal phase until proved otherwise.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is B, A higher absorbed dose, with a worse prognosis. In acute radiation syndrome, the time to onset of vomiting and its severity are used for early triage.

Why is "A lower absorbed dose, with a better prognosis" not the answer?

Later onset, not earlier onset, suggests a lower dose.

Why is "No relation to dose" not the answer?

Timing of the prodrome is a useful dose indicator.

Why is "Chemical poisoning rather than radiation" not the answer?

Vomiting after a radiation accident is attributed to the prodromal phase until proved otherwise.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiation effects: prodromal phase in Radiology. The shorter the latent period before the prodrome, the higher the dose received, and onset within an hour suggests a serious exposure.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Radiation effects: prodromal phase?

Learn signs with the image, and the disease they point to. Then use the flashcards and the other Radiology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.