Radiologic Technologist Practice Exam

Which scenario represents the most hazardous situation for a whole-body radiation exposure of 2 Gy?

1. 10 seconds

2. 10 hours

3. 10 days

4. 10 weeks

The correct answer is: 10 seconds

A whole-body radiation exposure of 2 Gy is significant and can lead to acute radiation syndrome if received in a short and concentrated time frame. The correct answer identifies that a duration of 10 seconds represents the most hazardous situation for this level of exposure. The danger associated with radiation exposure is not merely the total dose received but also the rate at which that dose is delivered. A brief exposure of 10 seconds implies a high dose rate, which can overwhelm the body’s ability to repair damage from the radiation before more damage occurs. In contrast, longer durations, such as 10 hours, 10 days, or 10 weeks, would result in a more gradual exposure to the same total dose, allowing the body's biological repair mechanisms to mitigate some of the damage. In essence, the shorter the exposure time for a given dose of radiation, the more dangerous it becomes because it leads to a higher dose rate, increasing the risk of severe biological effects. This is why the scenario of 10 seconds is determined to be the most hazardous for a whole-body radiation exposure of 2 Gy.