Radiation Safety Practice Exam

Which method is most commonly used to measure internal exposure?

1. Blood tests

2. Urinalysis

3. Saliva samples

4. X-ray analysis

The correct answer is: Urinalysis

Urinalysis is the most commonly used method to measure internal exposure to radioactive materials. This approach is effective because many radioactive isotopes that enter the body are eventually excreted through urine. Urinalysis allows for the detection of these isotopes or their metabolites, providing valuable information about the extent of internal contamination. This method is also non-invasive and relatively easy to perform, making it a preferred choice in radiation safety and health physics. Blood tests, while useful in certain circumstances, are not as efficient for detecting many types of internal exposure compared to urinalysis. Saliva samples can provide information about some substances, but they are not typically used for measuring internal radiation exposure. X-ray analysis is primarily used for imaging purposes rather than quantifying internal contamination. Therefore, urinalysis stands out as the most appropriate choice for monitoring and assessing internal exposure to radiation.