Contrast agents: breastfeeding after iodinated contrast: 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 · Contrast agents: breastfeeding after iodinated contrast

Sample item

A breastfeeding mother receives intravenous iodinated contrast for a CT abdomen and asks whether she must discard her milk. What is the appropriate advice?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Breastfeeding can continue normally because only a tiny fraction reaches the milk and is absorbed by the infant

Less than 1 percent of the dose enters breast milk, and under 1 percent of that is absorbed by the infant's gut. Interruption is therefore not needed, though a mother who is anxious may choose to pause for 24 hours. This differs from some radionuclide studies, where feeding is interrupted.

Option by option

  • A. Give the infant potassium iodide

    Potassium iodide is not indicated.

  • B. Breastfeeding can continue normally because only a tiny fraction reaches the milk and is absorbed by the infant (correct)

    Correct. The amount reaching the infant is negligible.

  • C. Stop breastfeeding permanently

    Permanent cessation is unnecessary.

  • D. Express and discard milk for one week

    Discarding milk for a week is excessive.

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, Breastfeeding can continue normally because only a tiny fraction reaches the milk and is absorbed by the infant. Less than 1 percent of the dose enters breast milk, and under 1 percent of that is absorbed by the infant's gut.

Why is "Give the infant potassium iodide" not the answer?

Potassium iodide is not indicated.

Why is "Stop breastfeeding permanently" not the answer?

Permanent cessation is unnecessary.

Why is "Express and discard milk for one week" not the answer?

Discarding milk for a week is excessive.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Contrast agents: breastfeeding after iodinated contrast in Radiology. Interruption is therefore not needed, though a mother who is anxious may choose to pause for 24 hours. This differs from some radionuclide studies, where feeding is interrupted.

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 Contrast agents: breastfeeding after iodinated contrast?

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.