American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Practice Exam

When tissue is exposed to a high dose of radiation, it may undergo necrosis. Necrosis refers to the death of cells or tissues in the body due to injury or damage, which in the case of high radiation exposure can result from the radiation's destructive effects on the cellular structure and function. High doses of radiation can disrupt the DNA within cells, leading to cell death and tissue damage, particularly in rapidly dividing tissues such as those found in cancerous cells or in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

The other options do not accurately describe the effects of high dose radiation exposure. For example, becoming more elastic or denser does not align with the reality of cellular damage from radiation, as these changes typically occur in specific physiological conditions but are not direct results of radiation exposure. Additionally, while some tissues have the ability to repair themselves, high doses of radiation usually overwhelm the repair mechanisms, resulting in significant cellular damage rather than enhanced repair processes. Thus, necrosis effectively captures the severe consequence of high radiation exposure on tissue.