Environmental health: radiation effects: practice question

A PSM 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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PSM · Environmental health: radiation effects

Sample item

Which of the following is a stochastic effect of ionising radiation, meaning the probability rises with dose but the severity does not and there is no threshold?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. Radiation-induced leukaemia

Stochastic effects, such as cancers and hereditary effects, are chance events whose probability, not severity, increases with dose, and for protection purposes no safe threshold is assumed. Deterministic effects such as erythema, cataract and radiation sickness have a threshold dose below which they do not occur, and severity rises with dose.

Option by option

  • A. Acute radiation syndrome

    Acute radiation syndrome appears only above a threshold dose and is deterministic.

  • B. Radiation-induced leukaemia (correct)

    Correct. Cancer induction is a stochastic effect.

  • C. Skin erythema

    Skin erythema has a threshold dose and its severity increases with dose.

  • D. Lens opacity (cataract)

    Cataract is a deterministic tissue reaction with a threshold.

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.

More PSM questions

Questions about this PSM question

What is the answer to this PSM question?

The best answer is B, Radiation-induced leukaemia. Stochastic effects, such as cancers and hereditary effects, are chance events whose probability, not severity, increases with dose, and for protection purposes no safe threshold is assumed.

Why is "Acute radiation syndrome" not the answer?

Acute radiation syndrome appears only above a threshold dose and is deterministic.

Why is "Skin erythema" not the answer?

Skin erythema has a threshold dose and its severity increases with dose.

Why is "Lens opacity (cataract)" not the answer?

Cataract is a deterministic tissue reaction with a threshold.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Environmental health: radiation effects in PSM. Deterministic effects such as erythema, cataract and radiation sickness have a threshold dose below which they do not occur, and severity rises with dose.

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 Environmental health: radiation effects?

Practise biostatistics with small calculations until sensitivity, predictive values and risk measures are automatic. Then use the flashcards and the other PSM 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.