True or False: The potential benefits of exposing patients to ionizing radiation should far outweigh any slight chance of inducing radiogenic malignancy or genetic defects.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Cannot be determined
• D. Only under certain conditions

Answer: (A)

Exposing a patient to ionizing radiation must be justified by the expected diagnostic benefit that outweighs the potential harm. The chance of inducing radiogenic cancer or genetic effects from a typical diagnostic exposure is very small, yet not zero. When the imaging study is expected to provide information that will meaningfully influence diagnosis, treatment decisions, or outcomes, that benefit generally outweighs the slight risk. This is why the statement is considered true: the potential benefits of the radiographic examination should far outweigh the small chance of harm. Dose should always be kept as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA) to minimize risk, and imaging should be justified and optimized; but in standard clinical practice, the benefit often justifies the exposure.