Radiography
Radiography is a trademark of its owner, which is not affiliated with and does not endorse Test Treasure Publication or TTP Prep.
Radiography is a trademark of its owner, which is not affiliated with and does not endorse Test Treasure Publication or TTP Prep.
10 sample questions for the Radiography, with the correct answer and an explanation for each. No account needed. Try each one before you open the answer.
Sections covered on the exam: Patient Care, Image Production, Physicalassistanceandmonitoring, Medicalemergencies, Infectioncontrol, Hazardousmaterials, Pharmacologyandcontrastmedia, X-Rayproductionandphotoninteractions, Radiationunitsandradiobiology, Minimizingpatientexposure, Personnelprotectionandmonitoring, Techniquechartsandaec, X-Rayandfluoroscopicequipment, Imageprocessing,Display,Andinformatics, Qualitycontrol, Skull,Facialbones,Andsinuses, Spine,Pelvis,Andhips, Thorax, Procedures, Upperextremity, Lowerextremity, Specialskeletalstudies, Safety.
Question 1 · Patient Care
A patient signed an informed consent form for a CT- guided lung biopsy an hour ago. While the radiographer is positioning him on the table, he says he has changed his mind and does not want the biopsy. What is the MOST appropriate action?
Answer: D. Stop the preparation and notify the physician performing the procedure
A patient may withdraw consent at any time, even after signing, so the radiographer should stop and notify the physician performing the procedure, who is responsible for the consent discussion. The belief that the form remains legally binding is the most tempting error; continuing after consent is withdrawn could constitute battery. A family member cannot override a competent adult, and sedating him to proceed ignores his refusal.
Question 2 · X-Rayproductionandphotoninteractions
To reduce patient dose, a lateral lumbar spine technique is changed from 85 kVp to 100 kVp with an appropriate mAs reduction. Within the patient, how does this change affect photon interactions?
Answer: C. Compton scatter makes up a larger share of interactions, lowering subject contrast
Photoelectric probability falls roughly with 1/E3, so at higher kVp a larger proportion of interactions are Compton events, which add scatter and reduce subject contrast (while lowering absorbed dose). The claim that photoelectric absorption increases reverses the energy dependence. Coherent scatter is a low-energy interaction and never predominates at these kVp values, and raising kVp changes beam quality, not just quantity.
Question 3 · Personnelprotectionandmonitoring
A new radiographic room is being designed. The wall behind the upright chest stand will be struck by the primary beam, while the wall behind the control booth receives only scatter and leakage. What is the typical lead requirement for the wall behind the chest stand?
Answer: D. 1/16 in (1.6 mm) of lead extending 7 ft above the floor
A primary protective barrier typically requires 1/16 in (1.6 mm) of lead extending 7 ft above the floor. The value 1/32 in (0.8 mm) is the typical secondary barrier, appropriate for the control booth wall that receives only scatter and leakage. A barrier extending only 4 ft would leave the upper part of the wall unprotected where the primary beam strikes.
Question 4 · Imageprocessing,Display,Andinformatics
While reviewing an abdominal image, the radiologist wants to increase the visible difference between two soft-tissue structures of similar attenuation. Which display adjustment accomplishes this?
Answer: B. Narrow the window width
Window width controls displayed contrast; a narrower width spreads fewer pixel values across the full gray scale, increasing contrast between similar tissues. Widening the width lowers contrast, and changing the window level alters overall brightness rather than contrast.
Question 5 · Thorax
During a double-contrast barium enema, the radiologist needs an image with the left colic (splenic) flexure open. The patient cannot lie prone. Which position should be used?
Answer: B. RPO
The LAO and RPO positions open the left colic (splenic) flexure; since the patient cannot lie prone, the RPO is used. The LPO and RAO open the right colic (hepatic) flexure. A left lateral decubitus is taken AP or PA and shows the medial and lateral walls of the colon, not an open flexure.
Question 6 · Patient Care
After confirming two identifiers, a radiographer reviews an order for "Left wrist, 3 views." The clinical indication reads "Fall on outstretched right hand, right wrist pain," and the patient points to the right wrist. What should the radiographer do?
Answer: B. Contact the ordering provider to clarify the order before imaging
The order must match the clinical indication; when they conflict, the radiographer clarifies with the ordering provider before any exposure. Imaging the right wrist on the patient's word alone is the most tempting choice, but it is performed without a valid order. Imaging both wrists exposes the patient unnecessarily, and following the order as written would likely image the wrong side.
Question 7 · X-Rayproductionandphotoninteractions
A tube is operated repeatedly at 80 kVp during a busy trauma shift. Approximately what happens to the kinetic energy of the projectile electrons that strike the anode?
Answer: D. More than 99% becomes heat and less than 1% becomes x- rays
X-ray production is very inefficient: more than 99% of the electrons' kinetic energy is converted to heat at the anode, and less than 1% is converted to x-rays. This is why anode heat loading and cooling charts matter during heavy use. The claim that most energy becomes x-rays reverses the actual efficiency, and light is not a significant product at the anode.
Question 8 · Personnelprotectionandmonitoring
An uncooperative adult trauma patient must be held for a cross-table lateral projection because immobilization devices are not adequate. Who is the MOST appropriate person to hold the patient?
Answer: C. The patient's adult brother, who is not pregnant, wearing an apron and gloves
When a patient must be held, a non-occupationally exposed, non-pregnant adult such as a family member should hold, wearing an apron and gloves and staying out of the primary beam. Radiographers and students are occupationally exposed and should never hold patients, because routine holding would add to their cumulative dose. A pregnant person should never hold a patient, even with shielding.
Question 9 · Imageprocessing,Display,Andinformatics
A tiny dark spot appears at the identical location on every image from a DR detector, regardless of patient or exam. Which preprocessing function is designed to correct this?
Answer: A. Dead pixel correction by interpolation
A defective DEL produces a fixed spot, and dead pixel correction replaces its value with an average of neighboring pixels. Histogram rescaling and window adjustments act on the whole image, and edge enhancement would make the spot more conspicuous.
Question 10 · Procedures
A patient recovering from a stroke coughs and chokes while eating. A swallowing dysfunction study is ordered. How is this examination performed?
Answer: B. Lateral fluoroscopy, varied barium consistencies, with a speech pathologist
The modified barium swallow is done with a speech-language pathologist, primarily in the lateral projection, while the patient swallows barium of different consistencies (thin liquid, nectar-thick, pudding, solid) to find which ones are aspirated. The RAO is the standard projection for a routine esophagram, not for evaluating aspiration. Effervescent granules are used for double-contrast upper GI studies.
TTP Prep has 200 Radiography practice questions with explanations, timed and mock-exam modes, 61 flashcards, interactive lessons, a printable cheat sheet and a readiness score. Start free, no card needed.
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