Storage conditions of radioactive substances MCQs With Answer

Storage conditions of radioactive substances MCQs With Answer are essential study material for B. Pharm students learning radiopharmacy and radiation safety. This concise introduction covers critical aspects: storage of sealed and unsealed radioactive sources, shielding, labeling, ventilation, contamination control, segregation, decay‑in‑storage, transport packaging, regulatory compliance, and ALARA principles. Emphasis is on practical protocols for radiopharmaceuticals, record keeping, dose monitoring, spill response, and secure access to minimize exposure and environmental release. These materials help students master safe storage practices, institutional policies, and waste management for routine and emergency scenarios. Now let’s test your knowledge with 50 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which of the following is the primary objective when storing radioactive substances in a hospital radiopharmacy?

• Maximizing shelf life regardless of safety
• Minimizing radiation exposure to personnel and the public
• Reducing storage costs at the expense of procedures
• Storing all isotopes together to save space

Correct Answer: Minimizing radiation exposure to personnel and the public

Q2. How should sealed sources be stored compared to unsealed radioactive solutions?

• Sealed sources and unsealed solutions can be stored together without segregation
• Sealed sources should be stored in locked, shielded containers separate from unsealed solutions
• Unsealed solutions require more physical security than sealed sources
• Both types should be stored in open shelves for ventilation

Correct Answer: Sealed sources should be stored in locked, shielded containers separate from unsealed solutions

Q3. What is the ALARA principle in relation to storage of radioactive materials?

• As Long As Radiation Allows
• As Low As Reasonably Achievable for exposure and contamination
• Always Leave And Return After storage
• All Licensed Areas Radiological Administration

Correct Answer: As Low As Reasonably Achievable for exposure and contamination

Q4. Which factor is most important when selecting shielding material for stored radionuclides?

• Color of the shielding
• Energy and type of emitted radiation (gamma, beta, alpha)
• Manufacturer brand
• Price alone

Correct Answer: Energy and type of emitted radiation (gamma, beta, alpha)

Q5. What is the recommended practice for labeling radioactive storage containers?

• No label is needed if personnel know contents
• Labels should include isotope, activity, date, and radiation symbol
• Labels only need the facility name
• Handwritten shorthand is acceptable without dates

Correct Answer: Labels should include isotope, activity, date, and radiation symbol

Q6. For short‑lived radiopharmaceuticals like Tc‑99m, what storage practice is often used to minimize waste?

• Immediate disposal as hazardous chemical waste
• Decay‑in‑storage until activity falls below regulatory release limits
• Long‑term secure vault storage for years
• Mixing with other wastes to dilute activity

Correct Answer: Decay‑in‑storage until activity falls below regulatory release limits

Q7. What type of storage cabinet is appropriate for beta‑emitting solutions such as P‑32?

• Lead cabinet without additional shielding
• Plastic cabinet only
• Shielded cabinet with acrylic or Lucite to stop beta bremsstrahlung where needed
• Open shelf is sufficient

Correct Answer: Shielded cabinet with acrylic or Lucite to stop beta bremsstrahlung where needed

Q8. Which monitoring is essential for stored unsealed radioactive materials?

• Visual inspection only
• Periodic wipe tests and dose rate surveys for contamination
• Checking temperature only
• No monitoring is required after initial receipt

Correct Answer: Periodic wipe tests and dose rate surveys for contamination

Q9. What record must be kept for stored radioactive substances?

• No records required if activity is low
• Inventory logs with isotope, activity, receipt date, disposal/decay date, and user
• Only a purchase invoice is sufficient
• Only daily verbal reports to supervisor

Correct Answer: Inventory logs with isotope, activity, receipt date, disposal/decay date, and user

Q10. How should radioactive waste be segregated in storage?

• All wastes mixed together to reduce storage locations
• Segregated by physical state, half‑life, and radiation type
• Only segregated by generator department
• Stored with nonradioactive lab waste

Correct Answer: Segregated by physical state, half‑life, and radiation type

Q11. Which radionuclide requires careful consideration for bremsstrahlung when shielding?

• Alpha emitters like Am‑241
• Low energy gamma emitters only
• High‑energy beta emitters like P‑32 and Sr‑90
• Pure neutron emitters only

Correct Answer: High‑energy beta emitters like P‑32 and Sr‑90

Q12. What is the significance of the Transport Index (TI) when storing packages containing radioactive materials?

• Indicates the package weight
• Specifies the radiation level at 1 meter for transport and handling control
• Indicates the cost of shipping
• Shows the production date

Correct Answer: Specifies the radiation level at 1 meter for transport and handling control

Q13. Which of the following is a regulatory requirement for storage areas of radioactive substances?

• Ensure area is accessible to the public at all times
• Maintain restricted access, signage, and controlled ventilation as required
• Allow pets to access the area for monitoring
• Store along with flammable chemicals for convenience

Correct Answer: Maintain restricted access, signage, and controlled ventilation as required

Q14. How often should wipe tests be performed on storage surfaces holding unsealed sources?

• Never, they are unnecessary
• Periodically as defined by the radiation safety program, often weekly or monthly
• Only once at installation
• Only after an incident

Correct Answer: Periodically as defined by the radiation safety program, often weekly or monthly

Q15. Which personnel monitoring device is typically required for staff handling stored radioactive materials?

• Thermometer
• Personal dosimeter or TLD/badge
• Stethoscope
• Geiger counter worn on clothing

Correct Answer: Personal dosimeter or TLD/badge

Q16. What is the recommended action if a spill occurs in the radioactive storage area?

• Evacuate, isolate area, notify radiation safety officer, and follow spill procedures
• Ignore it if no alarms sound
• Clean immediately without protective equipment
• Flush with water and continue normal operation

Correct Answer: Evacuate, isolate area, notify radiation safety officer, and follow spill procedures

Q17. For long‑term storage of Co‑60 sources used in calibration, which factor is most critical?

• Source color
• Secure locked storage with appropriate gamma shielding and inventory control
• Storing near food services for convenience
• Keeping in open lab bench

Correct Answer: Secure locked storage with appropriate gamma shielding and inventory control

Q18. What is the primary reason to segregate isotope types during storage?

• To create visual variety on shelves
• To prevent cross‑contamination and simplify waste management and emergency response
• Because some isotopes smell bad together
• To maximize shelf density

Correct Answer: To prevent cross‑contamination and simplify waste management and emergency response

Q19. Which ventilation characteristic is desirable for a room storing volatile radionuclides?

• Recirculating ventilation without HEPA filters
• Negative pressure with appropriate filtration and exhaust away from occupied areas
• Positive pressure to keep contaminants in
• No ventilation to reduce noise

Correct Answer: Negative pressure with appropriate filtration and exhaust away from occupied areas

Q20. What is a common criterion for releasing decayed radioactive waste to regular disposal?

• When activity is below regulatory clearance limits or background levels
• After 1 year regardless of remaining activity
• Whenever the waste container is full
• When the supervisor approves verbally

Correct Answer: When activity is below regulatory clearance limits or background levels

Q21. Which documentation supports compliance for stored radioactive materials during audits?

• Only verbal confirmations
• Inventory logs, shielding calculations, training records, and waste disposal records
• Only the purchase receipts
• Only expired licenses

Correct Answer: Inventory logs, shielding calculations, training records, and waste disposal records

Q22. Which personal protective equipment (PPE) is appropriate when handling stored liquid radioactive material?

• Lab coat, gloves, eye protection, and possibly face shield as needed
• No PPE is required
• Only sandals and shorts
• Only radiation badge without gloves

Correct Answer: Lab coat, gloves, eye protection, and possibly face shield as needed

Q23. How should expired sealed sources be handled in storage?

• Left in situ indefinitely
• Follow manufacturer and regulatory procedures for return, refurbishment, or disposal
• Open and pour contents into regular trash
• Sell without documentation

Correct Answer: Follow manufacturer and regulatory procedures for return, refurbishment, or disposal

Q24. For radiopharmacies, which practice reduces occupational dose from stored radiopharmaceuticals?

• Frequent direct handling of vials without tools
• Use of remote handling tools, shielding, timed operations, and efficient workflows
• Allowing multiple people to handle the same vial
• Performing manipulations in open corridors

Correct Answer: Use of remote handling tools, shielding, timed operations, and efficient workflows

Q25. What is the role of a radiation safety officer (RSO) regarding storage?

• Only writes purchase orders
• Develops storage policies, approves shielding, oversees training and emergency procedures
• Handles only financial matters
• Performs patient dosing only

Correct Answer: Develops storage policies, approves shielding, oversees training and emergency procedures

Q26. Which radionuclide typically requires storage with lead shielding due to high gamma emission?

• Carbon‑14
• Iodine‑125 (low energy gamma)
• Cobalt‑60
• Hydrogen‑3 (tritium)

Correct Answer: Cobalt‑60

Q27. What is a recommended practice for inventory reconciliation of stored sources?

• No reconciliation required
• Periodic physical inventories compared to records and immediate investigation of discrepancies
• Reconcile only when equipment breaks
• Reconcile by estimation without measurements

Correct Answer: Periodic physical inventories compared to records and immediate investigation of discrepancies

Q28. How should radioactive liquids be stored to prevent spills and cross‑contamination?

• In open trays on bench tops
• In secondary containment trays with absorbent material and leak‑proof containers
• Mixed together to neutralize radioactivity
• In paper bags

Correct Answer: In secondary containment trays with absorbent material and leak‑proof containers

Q29. Which practice minimizes radiation exposure from multiple small vials stored together?

• Store them scattered across open bench
• Group vials by activity, use common shielding and label cumulative activity
• Stack them without shielding to save space
• Place them inside food refrigerators

Correct Answer: Group vials by activity, use common shielding and label cumulative activity

Q30. What is the significance of half‑life in planning storage and decay‑in‑storage?

• Half‑life has no practical significance
• Determines how long to store before activity decays to safe levels and influences waste management
• Only used for transport pricing
• Only relevant for theoretical calculations

Correct Answer: Determines how long to store before activity decays to safe levels and influences waste management

Q31. What is an appropriate ventilation requirement for storage of dry sealed sources?

• No ventilation if sources are sealed and not volatile
• High airflow with open windows
• Recirculating without filtration
• Continuous exhaust directly to occupied areas

Correct Answer: No ventilation if sources are sealed and not volatile

Q32. Which instrument is best for routine radiation surveys of storage areas?

• Liquid scintillation counter
• Appropriate survey meter (GM or ion chamber) calibrated for the radiation type
• Thermocouple
• pH meter

Correct Answer: Appropriate survey meter (GM or ion chamber) calibrated for the radiation type

Q33. When receiving a radioactive shipment, what initial checks are critical in the storage area?

• Check package integrity, radiation levels, documentation, and perform contamination wipes if required
• Immediately open packages without checking labels
• Store the package without checks to save time
• Leave the package outside overnight

Correct Answer: Check package integrity, radiation levels, documentation, and perform contamination wipes if required

Q34. Why should flammable chemicals be kept separate from radioactive storage?

• They can react and complicate emergency response and containment of radioactive materials
• They help reduce radiation levels
• They are heavier and help secure sources
• No reason; mixing is acceptable

Correct Answer: They can react and complicate emergency response and containment of radioactive materials

Q35. For radiopharmacies using I‑131, what special storage consideration is needed?

• I‑131 requires no labeling
• Shielding for gamma emissions and measures to control volatile iodine, such as fume hood or dedicated ventilated cabinet
• Storage at high temperatures
• Keep near food for convenience

Correct Answer: Shielding for gamma emissions and measures to control volatile iodine, such as fume hood or dedicated ventilated cabinet

Q36. What is the purpose of surface contamination limits for storage areas?

• To set arbitrary goals
• To define maximum allowable removable contamination to protect personnel and public health
• To increase paperwork
• To determine storage room color

Correct Answer: To define maximum allowable removable contamination to protect personnel and public health

Q37. How should emergency contact information be displayed in a radioactive storage area?

• Hidden in a drawer
• Clearly posted near exits with RSO, local emergency, and transport contacts
• Only on the facility intranet
• Not displayed to avoid clutter

Correct Answer: Clearly posted near exits with RSO, local emergency, and transport contacts

Q38. Which of the following best describes decay‑in‑storage documentation?

• No documentation is needed
• Records showing initial activity, date, method of storage, and clearance measurement before disposal
• Only the disposal vendor name
• Only verbal confirmation by staff

Correct Answer: Records showing initial activity, date, method of storage, and clearance measurement before disposal

Q39. What training topics are essential for staff assigned to radioactive storage duties?

• Only basic office safety
• Radiation principles, storage protocols, PPE, spill response, monitoring, and regulatory requirements
• Only financial training
• Only computer skills

Correct Answer: Radiation principles, storage protocols, PPE, spill response, monitoring, and regulatory requirements

Q40. In terms of access control, what is recommended for radioactive storage rooms?

• Open access for all hospital staff
• Restricted access with locks, logged entry, and assignment of authorized personnel only
• Access via social media login
• No controls to expedite work

Correct Answer: Restricted access with locks, logged entry, and assignment of authorized personnel only

Q41. Which factor determines whether a package requires Type A or Type B transport packaging for storage prior to use?

• The color of the package
• The activity level, physical and radiological properties, and regulatory limits for transport
• The manufacturer’s logo
• The shipping speed selected

Correct Answer: The activity level, physical and radiological properties, and regulatory limits for transport

Q42. What is the appropriate action for a vial with suspected contamination in storage?

• Place it back without marking
• Isolate it, perform contamination survey and wipe test, label as contaminated, and notify RSO
• Dispose immediately as regular trash
• Use it without further checks

Correct Answer: Isolate it, perform contamination survey and wipe test, label as contaminated, and notify RSO

Q43. How should solid radioactive waste be prepared for decay‑in‑storage?

• Placed in unlabeled cardboard boxes
• Placed in appropriate containers with absorbents if needed, labeled with isotope, activity, and date, and stored securely
• Thrown into regular dumpsters
• Mixed with liquid waste

Correct Answer: Placed in appropriate containers with absorbents if needed, labeled with isotope, activity, and date, and stored securely

Q44. Which radionuclide presents a significant contamination risk due to volatility and requires special controls?

• Carbon‑14
• Iodine‑131
• Lead‑210
• Americium‑241

Correct Answer: Iodine‑131

Q45. What is the recommended frequency for calibrating survey meters used in storage area monitoring?

• Never calibrate
• Regularly, typically annually or per manufacturer and regulatory guidance
• Only when they stop working
• Only once after purchase

Correct Answer: Regularly, typically annually or per manufacturer and regulatory guidance

Q46. When storing radiolabeled kits, what environmental condition should be controlled?

• Relative humidity for all kits
• Recommended temperature and light conditions per product labeling to maintain radiochemical purity
• Always store frozen regardless of label
• No environmental control is needed

Correct Answer: Recommended temperature and light conditions per product labeling to maintain radiochemical purity

Q47. Which signage is mandatory at the entrance to a radioactive materials storage room?

• Only the room number
• Radiation symbol, caution wording, authorized personnel only, and emergency contact
• Decorative poster unrelated to safety
• Menu of cafeteria items

Correct Answer: Radiation symbol, caution wording, authorized personnel only, and emergency contact

Q48. Which practice improves traceability for sealed sources in storage?

• Keeping them unlabeled for secrecy
• Maintaining serial numbers, source certificates, receipt/transfer records, and periodic leak tests
• Storing them anywhere without records
• Sharing sources between departments without documentation

Correct Answer: Maintaining serial numbers, source certificates, receipt/transfer records, and periodic leak tests

Q49. For tritium (H‑3) in water, what storage approach is appropriate?

• Store in open beakers on bench tops
• Store in sealed, labeled containers and treat as unsealed low‑energy beta waste with containment
• Evaporate immediately to reduce activity
• Mix with other volatile organics

Correct Answer: Store in sealed, labeled containers and treat as unsealed low‑energy beta waste with containment

Q50. What is the best practice for disposing of empty vials that held short‑lived radiopharmaceuticals?

• Throw immediately into regular trash
• Hold for decay‑in‑storage until activity is below clearance limits, then survey and dispose per policy
• Send to recycling without checks
• Place in sink and wash down drain

Correct Answer: Hold for decay‑in‑storage until activity is below clearance limits, then survey and dispose per policy