Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Standardized Awareness Practice Test

What is Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) commonly known as?

1. Radiation exposure sickness

2. Serious radiation injury

3. Radiation sickness

4. Chronic radiation illness

The correct answer is: Radiation sickness

Acute Radiation Syndrome (ARS) is most commonly known as radiation sickness. This term aptly describes the condition resulting from exposure to high doses of ionizing radiation in a short time frame. The symptoms of radiation sickness can appear within hours and can affect multiple organ systems, manifesting as nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and more severe signs depending on the level of exposure. The other terms may refer to aspects of radiation exposure but do not specifically capture the acute nature and the immediate health effects that characterize ARS. "Radiation exposure sickness" could suggest a broader range of effects related to radiation exposure, while "serious radiation injury" may imply physical damage without emphasizing the syndrome's acute nature. "Chronic radiation illness" typically relates to long-term exposure and effects, contrasting sharply with the immediate and severe nature of ARS. This strong association with the acute onset and the specific clinical presentation is why radiation sickness is recognized as the most accurate common name for Acute Radiation Syndrome.