ASNT Industrial Radiography Radiation Safety Practice Test

Which of the following is a prompt effect of radiation exposure to acute doses?

1. Severe hair loss

2. Blood changes

3. Skin burns

4. Vision loss

The correct answer is: Blood changes

Blood changes are indeed a prompt effect of radiation exposure to acute doses. Acute radiation exposure can lead to immediate effects on the hematopoietic system, which includes the production of blood cells. When a person receives a high dose of radiation in a short period, it can damage the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. This damage can result in a reduction in the number of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets, leading to anemia, increased susceptibility to infections, and impaired blood clotting, all of which manifest relatively quickly after exposure. While severe hair loss, skin burns, and vision loss can also occur as a result of radiation exposure, they may not be considered prompt effects when compared to the immediate impacts on blood cell production, which can occur within days of exposure. Skin burns, for instance, usually develop after a certain threshold of radiation has been absorbed over time, and vision loss can result from longer-term exposure or cumulative damage rather than acute doses.