Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: standardised uptake value: 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 · Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: standardised uptake value

Sample item

A report of an FDG PET-CT gives a number for a lung nodule that expresses tracer concentration in the lesion relative to the injected dose and the patient's body weight. What is this number called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Standardised uptake value

The standardised uptake value (SUV) normalises the activity measured in a lesion to the injected dose and body weight, giving a semi-quantitative index of metabolic activity. It helps compare scans and follow response to treatment. Hounsfield units, effective dose and relaxation times belong to CT, dosimetry and MRI.

Option by option

  • A. Hounsfield unit

    A Hounsfield unit is a CT attenuation value, not a PET uptake measure.

  • B. Effective dose

    Effective dose estimates the biological risk of radiation exposure, not tracer uptake.

  • C. Relaxation time

    Relaxation time is a tissue property that determines MRI contrast.

  • D. Standardised uptake value (correct)

    Correct. SUV normalises lesion activity to injected dose and body weight.

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, Standardised uptake value. The standardised uptake value (SUV) normalises the activity measured in a lesion to the injected dose and body weight, giving a semi-quantitative index of metabolic activity.

Why is "Hounsfield unit" not the answer?

A Hounsfield unit is a CT attenuation value, not a PET uptake measure.

Why is "Effective dose" not the answer?

Effective dose estimates the biological risk of radiation exposure, not tracer uptake.

Why is "Relaxation time" not the answer?

Relaxation time is a tissue property that determines MRI contrast.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: standardised uptake value in Radiology. It helps compare scans and follow response to treatment. Hounsfield units, effective dose and relaxation times belong to CT, dosimetry and MRI.

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 Radiotherapy and nuclear medicine basics: standardised uptake value?

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.