Minnesota Radiological Emergency
Technician Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. What is the primary principle of radiation protection that emphasizes
keeping exposure as low as reasonably achievable?
A. Decay
B. ALARA
C. Ionization
D. Filtration
Answer: B
ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) is the core principle
guiding radiation safety practices to minimize exposure time,
maximize distance, and use shielding.
2. Which type of radiation has the greatest penetrating power?
A. Alpha particles
, B. Beta particles
C. Gamma rays
D. Neutrons only
Answer: C
Gamma rays are highly penetrating electromagnetic radiation
requiring dense shielding such as lead or concrete.
3. The best material for shielding gamma radiation is:
A. Wood
B. Plastic
C. Lead
D. Paper
Answer: C
Lead is dense and effective at attenuating gamma radiation.
4. Radiation exposure refers to:
A. Radioactive material inside the body
B. Energy deposited in air by radiation
C. Contact with radioactive material only
D. Visible contamination only
Answer: B
Exposure is ionization of air by radiation, not contamination or
internal uptake.
,5. Contamination refers to:
A. Radiation passing through the body
B. Radioactive material on or inside an object or person
C. X-ray machine operation
D. Background radiation
Answer: B
Contamination is the presence of radioactive material on surfaces or
inside the body.
6. The unit measuring absorbed dose is:
A. Sievert
B. Gray
C. Curie
D. Roentgen
Answer: B
The Gray (Gy) measures absorbed energy per kilogram of tissue.
7. A Geiger-Muller counter is used to detect:
A. Heat
B. Radiation
C. Sound waves
D. Chemical toxins
Answer: B
, GM counters detect ionizing radiation such as alpha, beta, and
gamma.
8. The main hazard from alpha radiation is:
A. External penetration
B. Internal ingestion or inhalation
C. Light exposure
D. Noise exposure
Answer: B
Alpha particles are not penetrating externally but are dangerous
when internalized.
9. The principle that reduces exposure by increasing distance is:
A. Shielding
B. Time
C. Distance
D. Containment
Answer: C
Increasing distance reduces radiation intensity significantly due to
inverse square law.
10. Half-life refers to:
A. Time for radiation to double
B. Time for half of radioactive atoms to decay
C. Time of exposure
Technician Exam Practice Questions And
Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary principle of radiation protection that emphasizes
keeping exposure as low as reasonably achievable?
A. Decay
B. ALARA
C. Ionization
D. Filtration
Answer: B
ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) is the core principle
guiding radiation safety practices to minimize exposure time,
maximize distance, and use shielding.
2. Which type of radiation has the greatest penetrating power?
A. Alpha particles
, B. Beta particles
C. Gamma rays
D. Neutrons only
Answer: C
Gamma rays are highly penetrating electromagnetic radiation
requiring dense shielding such as lead or concrete.
3. The best material for shielding gamma radiation is:
A. Wood
B. Plastic
C. Lead
D. Paper
Answer: C
Lead is dense and effective at attenuating gamma radiation.
4. Radiation exposure refers to:
A. Radioactive material inside the body
B. Energy deposited in air by radiation
C. Contact with radioactive material only
D. Visible contamination only
Answer: B
Exposure is ionization of air by radiation, not contamination or
internal uptake.
,5. Contamination refers to:
A. Radiation passing through the body
B. Radioactive material on or inside an object or person
C. X-ray machine operation
D. Background radiation
Answer: B
Contamination is the presence of radioactive material on surfaces or
inside the body.
6. The unit measuring absorbed dose is:
A. Sievert
B. Gray
C. Curie
D. Roentgen
Answer: B
The Gray (Gy) measures absorbed energy per kilogram of tissue.
7. A Geiger-Muller counter is used to detect:
A. Heat
B. Radiation
C. Sound waves
D. Chemical toxins
Answer: B
, GM counters detect ionizing radiation such as alpha, beta, and
gamma.
8. The main hazard from alpha radiation is:
A. External penetration
B. Internal ingestion or inhalation
C. Light exposure
D. Noise exposure
Answer: B
Alpha particles are not penetrating externally but are dangerous
when internalized.
9. The principle that reduces exposure by increasing distance is:
A. Shielding
B. Time
C. Distance
D. Containment
Answer: C
Increasing distance reduces radiation intensity significantly due to
inverse square law.
10. Half-life refers to:
A. Time for radiation to double
B. Time for half of radioactive atoms to decay
C. Time of exposure