Radiotherapy: HDR remote afterloading: 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 · Radiotherapy: HDR remote afterloading

Sample item

Why is high-dose-rate brachytherapy with iridium-192 delivered by remote afterloading?

AIt removes radiation exposure to staff because the source is driven in from a shielded safe once the applicator is placedBIt allows the patient to leave the unit during treatmentCIt eliminates the need for imagingDIt lowers the dose to the tumour

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. It removes radiation exposure to staff because the source is driven in from a shielded safe once the applicator is placed

In remote afterloading the applicators are positioned first, and the source is moved from a shielded safe into place by machine. Staff leave the room during treatment, so occupational dose is practically nil. Treatment lasts only minutes at high dose rate.

Option by option

A. It removes radiation exposure to staff because the source is driven in from a shielded safe once the applicator is placed (correct)
Correct. The source is delivered from a shielded safe, protecting staff.
B. It allows the patient to leave the unit during treatment
Patients remain in the treatment room during irradiation.
C. It eliminates the need for imaging
Imaging is still needed for planning and verification.
D. It lowers the dose to the tumour
The tumour dose is the prescribed dose and is not lowered.

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.

Questions about this Radiology question

What is the answer to this Radiology question?

The best answer is A, It removes radiation exposure to staff because the source is driven in from a shielded safe once the applicator is placed. In remote afterloading the applicators are positioned first, and the source is moved from a shielded safe into place by machine.

Why is "It allows the patient to leave the unit during treatment" not the answer?

Patients remain in the treatment room during irradiation.

Why is "It eliminates the need for imaging" not the answer?

Imaging is still needed for planning and verification.

Why is "It lowers the dose to the tumour" not the answer?

The tumour dose is the prescribed dose and is not lowered.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiotherapy: HDR remote afterloading in Radiology. Staff leave the room during treatment, so occupational dose is practically nil. Treatment lasts only minutes at high dose rate.

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 Radiotherapy: HDR remote afterloading?

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.