Radiation safety: pregnancy: 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 safety: pregnancy

Sample item

When imaging a pregnant patient, what is the primary radiation-protection principle?

AAvoid all imaging regardless of urgencyBUse justified imaging with the lowest reasonable dose while not delaying essential diagnosisCUse ionizing radiation because fetal dose is irrelevantDRepeat scans routinely for reassurance

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Use justified imaging with the lowest reasonable dose while not delaying essential diagnosis

Imaging in pregnancy is justified when expected diagnostic benefit outweighs risk; ultrasound and MRI are often useful alternatives, but necessary radiography or CT should not be withheld in emergencies. Dose optimization is essential.

Option by option

A. Avoid all imaging regardless of urgency
Avoiding essential imaging can harm both patient and fetus.
B. Use justified imaging with the lowest reasonable dose while not delaying essential diagnosis (correct)
Correct. Benefit-risk assessment and dose optimization guide safe care.
C. Use ionizing radiation because fetal dose is irrelevant
Fetal radiation exposure is considered and minimized.
D. Repeat scans routinely for reassurance
Repeated nonindicated scans add unnecessary exposure.

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 B, Use justified imaging with the lowest reasonable dose while not delaying essential diagnosis. Imaging in pregnancy is justified when expected diagnostic benefit outweighs risk; ultrasound and MRI are often useful alternatives, but necessary radiography or CT should not be withheld in emergencies.

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

Avoiding essential imaging can harm both patient and fetus.

Why is "Use ionizing radiation because fetal dose is irrelevant" not the answer?

Fetal radiation exposure is considered and minimized.

Why is "Repeat scans routinely for reassurance" not the answer?

Repeated nonindicated scans add unnecessary exposure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiation safety: pregnancy in Radiology. Dose optimization is essential.

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 safety: pregnancy?

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.