Radiation effects: CNS syndrome: 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: CNS syndrome

Sample item

A patient exposed to a very high whole-body dose (above 30 Gy) develops ataxia, seizures, shock and dies within 48 hours. This presentation reflects which syndrome?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. Cerebrovascular (CNS) syndrome

The CNS syndrome occurs at doses above roughly 20 to 30 Gy with oedema, vasculitis and rapid death. Haematopoietic and GI syndromes take longer to develop. Cutaneous injury is a local effect.

Option by option

  • A. Cerebrovascular (CNS) syndrome (correct)

    Correct. Very high doses cause fatal neurovascular collapse within hours to days.

  • B. Haematopoietic syndrome

    The marrow syndrome evolves over weeks.

  • C. Cutaneous syndrome

    Cutaneous syndrome is local and not rapidly fatal alone.

  • D. Gastrointestinal syndrome

    The GI syndrome kills in days to 2 weeks at lower doses.

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 A, Cerebrovascular (CNS) syndrome. The CNS syndrome occurs at doses above roughly 20 to 30 Gy with oedema, vasculitis and rapid death.

Why is "Haematopoietic syndrome" not the answer?

The marrow syndrome evolves over weeks.

Why is "Cutaneous syndrome" not the answer?

Cutaneous syndrome is local and not rapidly fatal alone.

Why is "Gastrointestinal syndrome" not the answer?

The GI syndrome kills in days to 2 weeks at lower doses.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiation effects: CNS syndrome in Radiology. Haematopoietic and GI syndromes take longer to develop. Cutaneous injury is a local effect.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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: CNS syndrome?

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.