Summary of Acute Clinical Effects of Ionizing Radiation (9)
| Radiation exposure range | ||||||
| Therapeutic | Lethal | |||||
| Parameter | Subclinical (0–1 Sv [0–100 rem]) | 1–2 Sv (100–200 rem) | 2–6 Sv (200–600 rem) | 6–10 Sv (600–1,000 rem) | 10–50 Sv (1,000–5,000 rem) | >50 Sv (>5,000 rem) |
| Treatment required | Reassurance | Reassurance and hematologic surveillance | Blood transfusion and antibiotics | Consider bone marrow transplant | Maintenance of electrolyte balance | Sedatives |
| Overall treatment plan | None needed | Observation | Effective | Therapy promising | Palliative | Palliative |
| Incidence of vomiting | None | 5% at 1 Sv (100 rem); 50% at 2 Sv (200 rem) | 100% at 3 Sv (300 rem) | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Delay time prior to vomiting | N/A | 3 h | 2 h | 1 h | 30 min | 30 min |
| Leading organ affected | None | Blood-forming tissue | Blood-forming tissue | Blood-forming tissue | Gastrointestinal tract | Central nervous system |
| Characteristic signs | None | Mild leukopenia | Severe leukopenia; hemorrhage; hair loss above 3 Sv (300 rem) | Severe leukopenia; infections; erythema | Diarrhea; fever; electrolyte imbalance | Convulsions; tremor; ataxia; lethargy |
| Critical period after exposure | N/A | N/A | 4–6 wk | 4–6 wk | 5–14 d | 1–48 h |
| Prognosis | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Guarded | Hopeless | Hopeless |
| Incidence of death | None | None | 0%–80% | 80%–100% | 90%–100% | 90%–100% |
| Cause of death | N/A | N/A | Hemorrhage and infection | Hemorrhage and infection | Circulatory collapse | Respiratory failure and brain edema |