Free Radiography Practice Test

10 Free Radiography Practice Questions

1. If the patient exhibits cardiac or respiratory arrest while in the radiographer’s care, the radiographer should:

   1. Assess patient circulation
   2. Assess patient respiration
   3. Signal for an AED
   4. A, B, and C
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: A, B, and C

   In as short as 3 to 5 minutes, deoxygenation can cause irreversible brain damage. It is essential the radiographer be skilled in CPR/BLS techniques while working in the healthcare setting. A patient who is in respiratory or cardiac arrest should be assessed for a clear airway, breathing, and adequate circulation. A single rescuer should signal for help and an AED. An adult patient requires 80 to 100 compressions per minute for a single rescuer technique, with 2 ventilations for every 30 compressions.

2. In keeping with standards set forth by The Joint Commission, all of the following must be documented on the patient’s permanent health record, except:

   1. Patient's method of payment for medical services
   2. Identifying patient information
   3. Diagnostic and therapeutic reports
   4. Consent forms
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: Patient's method of payment for medical services

   The Joint Commission which accredits healthcare institutions throughout the United States outlines standards for medical record keeping, noting that patient identification information, diagnostic and therapeutic reports, and consent forms must be kept on file in the patient’s permanent record to ensure a high level of care and communication between health care providers.

3. Which of the following describes improper body mechanics?

   1. Twisting the trunk while lifting a patient
   2. Using a wide base of support during a patient transfer
   3. Bending at the knees to pick up a box of supplies
   4. Holding a box of supplies close to the trunk while carrying it to the department
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: Twisting the trunk while lifting a patient

   The radiographer should avoid bending or twisting the trunk while lifting or carrying an object or patient to decrease the potential of musculoskeletal injury. A wide base of support with one foot slightly in front of the other offers stability. Weight should be held close to the trunk, the radiographer should avoid reaching, and bending at the knees versus the back can reduce the incidence of low back injury.

4. In the given image of a tube housing, what does C represent?

   1. Tungsten
   2. Cathode
   3. Stator
   4. Rotor
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: Cathode

   The following is described in this illustration of the envelope and housing of a rotating anode X-ray tube: a spinning anode (A) driven by the bearings of the rotor (R). These generate a focal area of X-ray production surrounding the anode target (T). The cathode (C) is displayed with the filament circuit in green. These components are contained within the evacuated tube envelope (E). The stator (S), which causes the rotor to rotate, is located outside the envelope. In order to prevent the heated oil from over-expanding, an expansion bellows (B), usually attached to a regulator switch, surrounds the tube envelope in a dielectric cooling oil (O). The X-ray beam is emitted through the tube window (W). Lead or copper are commonly used in the housing to attenuate divergent X-rays.

5. Which examination aids medical professionals in determining the maturity of a pediatric patient’s skeletal system?

   1. Teleoroentgenogram
   2. Skeletal survey
   3. Orthroroentgenogram
   4. Bone age study
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: Bone age study

   Physicians can determine the maturity of a child's skeletal system with the use of a bone age study. To achieve this, a single radiograph of the patient's hand is acquired, and the image is compared to radiographic images in an atlas of bone development.

6. What is the cause of an artifact which appears as a black, spider-like region on the radiograph?

   1. Use of a very fast film-screen system
   2. Use of a stationary grid
   3. Increased developer temperature
   4. Static electricity
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: Static electricity

   Radiographic film exposed to the open air may cause a static electricity discharge. This shows up as a black, spider-like artifact on the radiograph.

7. The patient’s chart can serve as a method of communication between multiple healthcare providers. A radiographer would expect to find all of the following within a patient’s chart, except:

   1. Therapeutic reports
   2. Patient identifying information
   3. Consent forms
   4. The patient’s gender identity
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: The patient’s gender identity

   Communication is a key aspect of healthcare, and a fluid communication and trade off between healthcare personnel allows for the patient to receive a high level of patient care. A patient chart or electronic health record can serve as a method of communication between multiple healthcare providers and may include information such as a patient’s medical history including recent lab work or medical imaging examinations, identifying patient information, therapeutic and diagnostic reports, and consent forms. A patient’s assigned (biologic) sex would fall under the scope of patient identifying information; personal sense of gender identity differs from assigned (biologic) sex.

8. The radiographer can ensure patient understanding by:

   1. Asking the patient to verify their requisition
   2. Explaining the procedure and patient expectations
   3. A and B
   4. Permitting the patient to ask questions and responding to patient inquiries
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: A and B

   While asking the patient to verify their requisition will allow the patient to read the name of the examination ordered by their provider and ensure that their identifying information is correct, this would not ensure patient understanding of the nature of the examination. It is the responsibility of the technologist to thoroughly explain what the procedure entails and the patient expectations which must be followed to carry out the examination. The technologist should also permit the patient to ask questions for clarification and respond to any patient inquiries.

9. Which of the following contributes to the acceleration of electrons?

   1. Rotating anode component
   2. Magnetic properties of the target material
   3. Stationary anode component
   4. High potential difference between the cathode and anode
   Show Answer & Explanation

   Correct answer: High potential difference between the cathode and anode

   A focused electron beam travels from the cathode toward the anode. Electrons accelerate toward the anode end of the tube as a result of the high potential difference between the cathode and the anode. A rotating versus stationary anode would not contribute to the acceleration of electrons, but rather, the dissipation of heat.

10. Atoms with the same mass number and atomic number are called:

    1. Isomers
    2. Isotones
    3. Isobars
    4. Isotopes
    Show Answer & Explanation

    Correct answer: Isomers

    Isomers are atoms that have the same mass and atomic number. Atoms with the same atomic number, or number of protons, but distinct mass numbers are called isotopes. As a result, the number of neutrons in them varies. Isobars are groups of atoms with the same mass number but distinct atomic numbers. Isotones are atoms with distinct atomic numbers but the same neutron number.