Radiation safety and radiobiology: haematopoietic syndrome management: 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 and radiobiology: haematopoietic syndrome management

Sample item

A rescue worker receives an estimated whole-body dose of 3 Gy. Two weeks later he has fever, infections and pancytopenia, with no diarrhoea or neurological signs. Which management is most appropriate?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Haematopoietic growth factor support with infection control

A dose in this range causes the haematopoietic syndrome, with marrow failure, and treatment is supportive with growth factors, antimicrobials and isolation. Prussian blue, potassium iodide and Ca-DTPA are decorporation or blocking agents for internal contamination and do nothing for marrow failure from external dose.

Option by option

  • A. Potassium iodide tablets

    Potassium iodide blocks thyroid uptake of radioiodine and only works if given early.

  • B. Intravenous Ca-DTPA

    Ca-DTPA chelates transuranic metals such as plutonium and is not used for marrow failure.

  • C. Oral Prussian blue

    Prussian blue binds caesium in the gut and treats internal contamination.

  • D. Haematopoietic growth factor support with infection control (correct)

    Correct. Marrow failure is managed with growth factors and infection control.

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 D, Haematopoietic growth factor support with infection control. A dose in this range causes the haematopoietic syndrome, with marrow failure, and treatment is supportive with growth factors, antimicrobials and isolation.

Why is "Potassium iodide tablets" not the answer?

Potassium iodide blocks thyroid uptake of radioiodine and only works if given early.

Why is "Intravenous Ca-DTPA" not the answer?

Ca-DTPA chelates transuranic metals such as plutonium and is not used for marrow failure.

Why is "Oral Prussian blue" not the answer?

Prussian blue binds caesium in the gut and treats internal contamination.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiation safety and radiobiology: haematopoietic syndrome management in Radiology. Prussian blue, potassium iodide and Ca-DTPA are decorporation or blocking agents for internal contamination and do nothing for marrow failure from external dose.

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 and radiobiology: haematopoietic syndrome management?

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.