For a declared pregnant worker, is interruption of pregnancy ever justified due to radiation dose from a diagnostic X-ray?

• A. Sometimes
• B. NEVER EVER EVER
• C. Always
• D. If dose exceeds 1 Gy

Answer: (B)

The important idea here is that protecting a fetus from radiation is handled by minimizing exposure and using protective measures, not by stopping the pregnancy. In diagnostic radiology, the fetal dose from typical X-ray procedures is very small, especially with shielding and proper technique, and the risks to the fetus are not used as a reason to terminate a pregnancy. The safer, standard approach is to reassign the pregnant worker to duties with no imaging exposure, optimize techniques, and monitor or limit fetal dose to keep it well within accepted safety limits. Only in extraordinary circumstances would the discussion about pregnancy management differ, but terminating the pregnancy is not a justified or standard response to radiation exposure from diagnostic imaging.