With medical treatment, what is the max survivable dose?

• A. 200 rem
• B. 1000 rem
• C. 500 rem
• D. 2000 rem

Answer: (B)

Medical treatment can extend survivable radiation exposure beyond what would be fatal without care, mainly by supporting the bone marrow and immune system and treating infections and organ damage. For gamma-type radiation, 1 Gy is equivalent to 100 rem, and survival becomes possible only with aggressive, comprehensive medical support.

Around 1000 rem (10 Gy) is often cited as the upper range that can still be survived with intensive medical treatment, though outcomes vary and the risk remains very high. Doses much higher, like about 2000 rem (20 Gy), are extremely unlikely to be survivable even with the best care. Doses in the few hundred rem range are survivable with supportive treatment, but the question asks for the maximum survivable amount, which points to the higher end.