Radiation Safety Practice Exam

What is the primary technique used to measure ionizing radiation inside the body?

1. Whole body counting

2. Counting body products

3. Personal dosimetry

4. External radiation measurement

The correct answer is: Whole body counting

Whole body counting is the primary technique used to measure ionizing radiation inside the body because it directly assesses the radioactivity that has been absorbed by the tissues. This technique typically involves using specially designed detectors, such as gamma spectrometers, to measure the radiation emitted from radioactive isotopes that have ingested, inhaled, or entered the body through other means. Whole body counting provides a non-invasive method to evaluate the level of radioactive contamination within the body, thereby allowing health physicists and radiological health professionals to monitor individuals who may have been exposed to radionuclides. The measurement results are crucial for assessing radiation dose and potential health risks, and they can guide medical treatment or intervention if necessary. The other techniques mentioned play roles in radiation safety and monitoring but do not specifically focus on measuring internal radiation exposure. Counting body products relates to analyzing materials excreted from the body, personal dosimetry measures exposure to radiation in general, and external radiation measurement assesses radiation outside the body, making them less suited for the specific objective of measuring internal ionizing radiation.