Radiation protection: 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 protection

Sample item

What does the ALARA principle mean in diagnostic imaging?

AUse the highest dose for every scanBRepeat every image until perfectly identicalCAvoid all imaging regardless of benefitDKeep radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable

ALARA requires optimizing imaging protocols so radiation dose is minimized while preserving the diagnostic information needed for patient care; justified examinations should not be withheld when benefit outweighs risk.

Option by option

A. Use the highest dose for every scan
Highest-dose imaging contradicts radiation optimization.
B. Repeat every image until perfectly identical
Unnecessary repeats increase dose without improving care.
C. Avoid all imaging regardless of benefit
Necessary beneficial imaging should not be avoided categorically.
D. Keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable (correct)
Correct: ALARA balances dose reduction with adequate diagnostic quality.

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 D, Keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable. ALARA requires optimizing imaging protocols so radiation dose is minimized while preserving the diagnostic information needed for patient care; justified examinations should not be withheld when benefit outweighs risk.

Why is "Use the highest dose for every scan" not the answer?

Highest-dose imaging contradicts radiation optimization.

Why is "Repeat every image until perfectly identical" not the answer?

Unnecessary repeats increase dose without improving care.

Why is "Avoid all imaging regardless of benefit" not the answer?

Necessary beneficial imaging should not be avoided categorically.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiation protection in Radiology. The correct option holds because: Correct: ALARA balances dose reduction with adequate diagnostic quality.

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 protection?

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.