What is the typical skin dose for patients undergoing CT examinations?

The typical skin dose for patients undergoing CT examinations is indeed on the order of one to several rads. This reflects the nature of CT scans, which involve a series of X-ray images taken from different angles and reconstructed into cross-sectional images. The amount of ionizing radiation received by the patient's skin during a CT scan can vary depending on several factors, including the specific type of CT examination, the area being scanned, and the protocols used in the imaging procedure.

When considering the range of exposure, one to several rads is consistent with established safety standards and typical values observed in clinical settings for CT procedures. This level of radiation does raise some concerns regarding radiation safety, leading to guidelines aimed at minimizing dose without compromising image quality.

In contrast, levels like tenths of a rad would be too low for significant diagnostic imaging purposes, while tens or hundreds of rads would exceed the doses typically administered during routine scans, potentially leading to unwanted health risks. Therefore, the selected answer accurately represents the expected skin dose during CT examinations, falling within the clinically accepted range.