Chapter 01: Preliminary Steps in Radiography
Long: Merrill's Atlas of Radiographic Positioning & Procedures, 13th Edition

MULTIPLE CHOICE

	1.	The primary controlling factor of radiographic contrast in screen-film radiography is:
a.	mA.	
b.	time.	
c.	kVp.	
d.	SID.	

ANS:	C	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 5
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 1

	2.	The ability to visualize very small structures on a medical image is termed:
a.	contrast.	
b.	density.	
c.	distortion.	
d.	spatial resolution.	

ANS:	D	DIF:	Level: Hard	REF:	Volume 1, Page 5	
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 2

	3.	Radiographic images of the hands, wrist, feet, and toes are routinely displayed with the digits:
a.	positioned toward the ceiling.	
b.	positioned toward the floor.	
c.	horizontal and pointed to the left.	
d.	horizontal and pointed to the right.	

ANS:	A	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 11
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 1

	4.	The total destruction of microorganisms is accomplished through the use of:
a.	disinfectants.	
b.	sterilization.	
c.	germicides.	
d.	antiseptics.	

ANS:	B	DIF:	Level: Hard	REF:	Volume 1, Page 16	
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 1

	5.	In screen-film radiography, which term is defined as the degree of blackening?
a.	Optical density	
b.	Contrast	
c.	Recorded detail	
d.	Distortion	

ANS:	A	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 5
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: None

	6.	The equivalent term for optical density in digital imaging is:
a.	contrast.	
b.	noise.	
c.	brightness.	
d.	window level.	

ANS:	C	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 5
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: None

	7.	The controlling factors for magnification are:
a.	density and contrast.	
b.	object-to-image receptor distance (OID) and source-to-image receptor distance (SID).	
c.	central ray angle and central ray alignment.	
d.	part/image receptor alignment and SID.	

ANS:	B	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 7
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: None

	8.	Involuntary motion can be caused by which of the following?
1.   Peristalsis
2.   Spasm
3.   Breathing
a.	1 and 2	
b.	1 and 3	
c.	2 and 3	
d.	1, 2, and 3	

ANS:	A	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 18
OBJ:	Category: Positioning		TOP:	Exam: None

	9.	Voluntary motion resulting from lack of control can be caused by:
1.   fear.
2.   age (child).
3.   tremors.
a.	1 and 2	
b.	1 and 3	
c.	2 and 3	
d.	1, 2, and 3	

ANS:	A	DIF:	Level: Hard	REF:	Volume 1, Page 19	
OBJ:	Category: Positioning		TOP:	Exam: 2

	10.	Radiographers can control voluntary motion by:
a.	using a high kVp.	
b.	increasing the length of exposure time.	
c.	performing the examination in the recumbent position.	
d.	giving clear instruction to the patient.	

ANS:	D	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 19
OBJ:	Category: Positioning		TOP:	Exam: 1

	11.	A decrease in technical factors may be required for a patient who has:
a.	edema.	
b.	emphysema.	
c.	atelectasis.	
d.	advanced carcinoma.	

ANS:	B	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 41
OBJ:	Category: Positioning		TOP:	Exam: 1

	12.	An increase in technical factors may be required to penetrate a part on a patient who has:
a.	atrophy.	
b.	emphysema.	
c.	pleural effusion.	
d.	degenerative arthritis.	

ANS:	C	DIF:	Level: Hard	REF:	Volume 1, Page 41	
OBJ:	Category: Positioning		TOP:	Exam: 2

	13.	Information that must be included on all radiographic images includes all of the following except:
a.	right or left side marker.	
b.	patient’s name or ID number.	
c.	radiographer’s name.	
d.	date of exam.	

ANS:	C	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 25
OBJ:	Category: Positioning		TOP:	Exam: 1

	14.	The metric conversion of 40 inches is _____ cm.
a.	16 	
b.	18 	
c.	90 	
d.	102 	

ANS:	D	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 30
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: None

	15.	The source of radiation in an x-ray tube (the anode) shall not be closer than _____ inches from the _____.
a.	12; patient	
b.	15; patient	
c.	12; tabletop	
d.	15; tabletop	

ANS:	A	DIF:	Level: Hard	REF:	Volume 1, Page 31	
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 2

	16.	Collimation of the x-ray beam prompts which of the following?
1.   An increase in radiographic contrast
2.   Reduction of scatter and secondary radiation
3.   Reduction in radiation to the patient
a.	1 and 2	
b.	1 and 3	
c.	2 and 3	
d.	1, 2, and 3	

ANS:	D	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 32
OBJ:	Category: Positioning		TOP:	Exam: 1

	17.	Federal guidelines require gonad shielding for which of the following situations?
1.   The gonads lie in the primary beam.
2.   The clinical objective of the exam is not compromised.
3.   The patient has reasonable reproductive potential.
a.	1 and 2	
b.	1 and 3	
c.	2 and 3	
d.	1, 2, and 3	

ANS:	D	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 33
OBJ:	Category: Positioning		TOP:	Exam: 1

	18.	Which of the following devices are considered IRs?
1.   Television monitor
2.   Computed radiography image plate
3.   Cassette with film
a.	1 and 2	
b.	1 and 3	
c.	2 and 3	
d.	1, 2, and 3	

ANS:	C	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 3
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 3

	19.	Spatial resolution is primarily controlled by:
1.   mA.
2.   screens.
3.   focal spot size.
a.	1 and 2	
b.	1 and 3	
c.	2 and 3	
d.	1, 2, and 3	

ANS:	C	DIF:	Level: Hard	REF:	Volume 1, Page 5	
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 3

	20.	If a bone is projected longer or shorter than it actually is on the radiographic image, it is known as:
a.	angulation.	
b.	distortion.	
c.	geometry.	
d.	anatomic position.	

ANS:	B	DIF:	Level: Hard	REF:	Volume 1, Page 7	
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 3

	21.	Which of the following must be cleaned after every patient?
a.	Collimator	
b.	Tabletop	
c.	Gonad shields	
d.	X-ray tube	

ANS:	B	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 14
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 3

	22.	Which of the following is true when using computed radiography?
1.   The IR could be opened for a few minutes without causing the stored image to be destroyed.
2.   Collimation of the x-ray beam is not critical.
3.   Final contrast and density adjustments of the radiographic image are done using a computer.
a.	1 and 2	
b.	1 and 3	
c.	2 and 3	
d.	1, 2, and 3	

ANS:	B	DIF:	Level: Hard	REF:	Volume 1, Page 33 |Volume 1, Page 36
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 3

	23.	The phosphors in computed radiography IRs are very sensitive to:
a.	kVp.	
b.	dust.	
c.	collimation.	
d.	scatter radiation.	

ANS:	D	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 38
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 3

	24.	Radiographers who are educated as “radiologist extenders” are known as:
1.   physician assistants (PAs).
2.   radiologist assistants (RAs).
3.   radiology practitioner assistants (RPAs).
a.	1 and 2	
b.	2 and 3	
c.	2 and 3	
d.	1, 2, and 3	

ANS:	C	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 14
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 2

	25.	Blood and body fluid recommendations are issued by the:
a.	CDC.	
b.	ASRT.	
c.	ARRT.	
d.	JCAHO.	

ANS:	A	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 16
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 1

	26.	Each radiology department must write age-specific competencies to meet the standards of the:
a.	CDC.	
b.	ASRT.	
c.	ARRT.	
d.	JCAHO.	

ANS:	D	DIF:	Level: Hard	REF:	Volume 1, Page 23	
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 2

	27.	Gonad shielding is required when the gonads lie within ____ cm of the primary x-ray field.
a.	3	
b.	5	
c.	6	
d.	8	

ANS:	B	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 33
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 1

	28.	Which of the following radiographic examinations would give a male patient the highest gonad dose?
a.	Limb	
b.	Skull	
c.	Pelvis	
d.	Lumbar spine	

ANS:	C	DIF:	Level: Hard	REF:	Volume 1, Page 35	
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 1

	29.	Which of the following radiographic examinations would give a female patient the highest gonad dose?
a.	Limb	
b.	Skull	
c.	Pelvis	
d.	Lumbar spine	

ANS:	D	DIF:	Level: Hard	REF:	Volume 1, Page 35	
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: 1

	30.	Which of the following is affected when imaging patients who are obese?
1.   Image quality
2.   Ability to transfer safely
3.   Ability to find positioning landmarks
a.	1 and 2 only	
b.	1 and 3 only	
c.	2 and 3 only	
d.	1, 2, and 3	

ANS:	D	DIF:	Level: Hard	REF:	Volume 1, Page 46	
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: None

	31.	A fundamental responsibility of radiographers is to ensure that each radiation exposure upholds the ALARA concept. ALARA stands for:
a.	as low as reasonably achievable.	
b.	as long as radiograph is acceptable.	
c.	acceptable limits allowed for radiographic attempts.	
d.	attempts to lessen all radiographic allowances.	

ANS:	A	DIF:	Level: Medium		REF:	Volume 1, Page 2
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: None

	32.	Which organizations jointly revised and adopted the Code of Ethics for Radiologic Technologists in the United States?
a.	American College of Radiology and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists	
b.	American Society of Radiologic Technologists and the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists	
c.	American College of Radiology and The Joint Commission	
d.	American Registry of Radiologic Technologists and The Joint Commission	

ANS:	B	DIF:	Level: Hard	REF:	Volume 1, Page 2	
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: None

	33.	A physician who is board certified to read or interpret, x-ray examinations is a:
a.	hospitalist.	
b.	radiographer.	
c.	radiologist.	
d.	surgeon.	

ANS:	C	DIF:	Level: Easy	REF:	Volume 1, Page 13	
OBJ:	Category: General		TOP:	Exam: None