Radiation Safety Practice Exam

What is the correct priority of tasks in any emergency response situation?

1. Limit exposure, contain contamination, protect human life

2. Contain contamination, protect human life, limit exposure

3. Protect human life, limit exposure, contain contamination

4. Evaluate hazards, limit exposure, protect human life

The correct answer is: Protect human life, limit exposure, contain contamination

In any emergency response situation, protecting human life is the foremost priority. The rationale here is that in scenarios involving potential radiation exposure or contamination, the health and safety of individuals should always come first. Without ensuring the safety of people involved, all other actions may be rendered moot. Following the priority of protecting human life, the next step is to limit exposure. This involves implementing control measures that minimize the risk of further radiation exposure to both first responders and any individuals in the vicinity. This can include using personal protective equipment, establishing safe distances, and controlling access to contaminated areas. Finally, contain contamination is important, but it comes last in the priority sequence because efforts to prevent further spread of contamination can be effectively carried out once human life is secured and exposures are limited. This sequence aligns with standard emergency response protocols designed to safeguard individuals and manage risks effectively in crisis situations.