Radiation safety: I-131 patient precautions: 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: I-131 patient precautions

Sample item

After I-131 therapy for thyroid cancer, which precaution is most appropriate?

AImmediate discharge with free contactBIntravenous hydration aloneCIsolation with restricted contact with children and pregnant women until activity falls to the permitted levelDNo precautions are needed

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Isolation with restricted contact with children and pregnant women until activity falls to the permitted level

Patients excrete I-131 in urine, saliva and sweat and emit gamma radiation, so they remain isolated for a period and observe radiation safety measures at home, such as separate toilets and avoiding close contact with children and pregnant women. Fluids and frequent voiding help clearance. Release criteria are based on retained activity or dose rate.

Option by option

A. Immediate discharge with free contact
Free contact exposes family members.
B. Intravenous hydration alone
Hydration helps clearance but is not sufficient.
C. Isolation with restricted contact with children and pregnant women until activity falls to the permitted level (correct)
Correct. Isolation and precautions limit exposure to others.
D. No precautions are needed
Precautions are essential for high-dose therapy.

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 C, Isolation with restricted contact with children and pregnant women until activity falls to the permitted level. Patients excrete I-131 in urine, saliva and sweat and emit gamma radiation, so they remain isolated for a period and observe radiation safety measures at home, such as separate toilets and avoiding close contact with children and pregnant women.

Why is "Immediate discharge with free contact" not the answer?

Free contact exposes family members.

Why is "Intravenous hydration alone" not the answer?

Hydration helps clearance but is not sufficient.

Why is "No precautions are needed" not the answer?

Precautions are essential for high-dose therapy.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiation safety: I-131 patient precautions in Radiology. Fluids and frequent voiding help clearance. Release criteria are based on retained activity or dose rate.

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 safety: I-131 patient precautions?

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.