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Radiologic Technology Knowledge Assessment Quiz

Assess Radiography and Imaging Skills Quickly

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art illustrating a quiz on Radiologic Technology Knowledge Assessment

Ready to challenge your radiologic technology expertise? Our Radiologic Technology Knowledge Assessment Quiz delivers 15 thought-provoking multiple-choice questions designed for imaging students and professionals. Those studying radiography or diagnostic imaging will sharpen their understanding of radiation physics, patient positioning, and safety protocols. Dive into our Technology Knowledge Quiz or customize yours with the user-friendly editor for tailored practice. Browse all quizzes and start improving your skills immediately.

Which unit measures the absorbed radiation dose in tissue?
Gray
Roentgen
Curie
Sievert
The gray (Gy) is the SI unit of absorbed dose, defined as one joule of energy deposited per kilogram of tissue. Sievert measures equivalent dose, Roentgen measures exposure in air, and curie measures radioactivity.
Which x-ray generator setting directly controls the number of electrons produced at the cathode per second?
Source-to-image distance (SID)
Milliampere (mA)
Exposure time
Kilovoltage peak (kVp)
Milliampere (mA) represents tube current, controlling the number of electrons emitted per second. kVp controls beam energy, exposure time influences total mAs, and SID affects beam intensity.
Which parameter primarily affects x-ray beam penetration?
Focal spot size
Kilovoltage peak (kVp)
Milliampere (mA)
Grid ratio
kVp determines the potential difference across the tube, which sets the energy and thus penetration ability of the x-ray photons. mA affects beam quantity, not photon energy.
According to the inverse square law, if the source-to-image distance is doubled, the x-ray intensity at the image receptor becomes what fraction?
One-half
One-quarter
Four times as much
Twice as much
The inverse square law states intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance (I ∝ 1/d²). Doubling the distance reduces intensity to 1/(2²) = 1/4.
What does the acronym ALARA represent in radiation safety?
Average Level And Radiation Allowed
Always Limit At Radiation Application
As Long As Radiation Allowed
As Low As Reasonably Achievable
ALARA stands for As Low As Reasonably Achievable, guiding radiologic technologists to minimize radiation exposure while obtaining diagnostic images.
In a standard PA chest radiograph, which body surface is positioned closest to the image receptor?
Anterior surface
Left lateral surface
Posterior surface
Right lateral surface
In a PA chest radiograph, the patient faces the image receptor so the anterior chest wall is closest to the IR. The beam enters posteriorly and exits anteriorly.
Which artifact is characterized by a moiré pattern caused by interference between the grid lines and the scanning frequency?
Image lag
Beam hardening
Quantum mottle
Moire effect
The moiré effect is a wavy or rippled artifact seen when grid line frequency interferes with the digital scanning frequency. It is most common in high-speed digital systems.
The half-value layer (HVL) in radiography measures what characteristic of the x-ray beam?
Beam quantity (intensity)
Scatter radiation level
Beam quality (hardness)
Field size
The HVL is the thickness of material required to reduce the beam intensity by half, indicating beam quality or hardness. It does not directly measure intensity or scatter.
Which technique is most effective at reducing patient dose while improving image contrast by limiting scatter?
Increasing mA
Proper collimation
Decreasing kVp
Using a compensating filter
Proper collimation restricts the x-ray field, reducing the volume of tissue irradiated and the amount of scatter produced, which lowers dose and improves contrast.
During fluoroscopy, which practice most effectively reduces operator radiation exposure?
Removing the lead apron
Decreasing SID
Increasing distance from the source
Operating without a grid
According to the inverse square law, increasing the distance from the source significantly reduces exposure. Lead aprons and shielding are also important, but distance is most effective.
The primary function of the x-ray collimator in radiographic equipment is to:
Automatically adjust kVp
Restrict the x-ray beam field size
Increase tube current
Filter out high-energy photons
The collimator uses adjustable shutters to limit the x-ray field, reducing patient dose and scatter. It does not change current or energy.
Which type of x-ray generator provides the most consistent waveform and highest output efficiency?
Capacitor-discharge generator
Three-phase generator
Single-phase generator
High-frequency generator
High-frequency generators produce near-constant potential with minimal voltage ripple, resulting in efficient x-ray production and consistent output.
A limitation of automatic exposure control (AEC) systems is:
Inability to adjust exposure time
Automatic kVp selection only
Dependence on proper chamber placement
Always increasing patient dose
AEC systems rely on correctly positioned ionization chambers under the area of interest; misplacement can cause over- or underexposure.
Increasing the kilovoltage peak (kVp) on an x-ray machine will generally have what effect on image contrast?
Increase spatial resolution
No change in contrast
Increase contrast
Decrease contrast
Raising kVp increases beam penetration and scatter, which reduces differential absorption and lowers image contrast.
Which carpal bone articulates directly with the distal radius at the wrist joint?
Trapezium
Lunate
Scaphoid
Pisiform
The scaphoid sits between the radius and the proximal row of carpals, articulating directly with the distal radius. The lunate also artults but sits adjacent to the scaphoid.
A technologist doubles the source-to-image distance (SID) from 40 inches to 80 inches for an exam. To maintain the original receptor exposure, the mAs must be adjusted to what value if the initial mAs was 10?
80 mAs
40 mAs
10 mAs
20 mAs
By the inverse square law, intensity ∝ 1/d². Doubling SID reduces intensity by 4, so mAs must increase fourfold: 10 mAs × 4 = 40 mAs.
What radiation dose metric quantifies the total energy delivered by the x-ray beam to the patient by combining dose and exposed area?
CT dose index (CTDI)
Dose area product (DAP)
Effective dose
Entrance skin dose
Dose area product multiplies dose by the cross-sectional area irradiated, reflecting the total energy imparted and correlating with stochastic risk.
How many half-value layers (HVLs) are required to reduce the x-ray beam intensity to 12.5% of its original value?
3 HVLs
4 HVLs
1 HVL
2 HVLs
Each HVL reduces intensity by half: after one HVL → 50%, two → 25%, three → 12.5% of the original intensity.
In digital radiography, low photon flux results in an image artifact known as:
Quantum mottle
Edge enhancement
Ghosting
Motion blur
Quantum mottle (noise) appears when too few x-ray photons reach the detector, producing a grainy or speckled appearance in the image.
In computed tomography (CT), the primary factor that determines slice thickness is:
Table speed
Reconstruction algorithm
kVp setting
Prepatient and postpatient collimation
CT slice thickness is set by the width of the x-ray beam defined by collimators at the source and at the detector. Reconstruction algorithms affect image quality but not actual slice thickness.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify core radiation physics principles in imaging
  2. Apply patient positioning techniques for clear radiographs
  3. Analyse image quality factors and common artifacts
  4. Evaluate radiation safety protocols and dose management
  5. Demonstrate proper equipment operation and maintenance
  6. Master anatomy identification on radiologic images

Cheat Sheet

  1. Atomic Structure & X-ray Generation - Dive into the world of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and explore how electrons occupy shells with various binding energies. This key knowledge demystifies how x-ray beams are generated and how they interact with different materials. Foothill College: Principles of Radiologic Technology I
  2. Patient Positioning Mastery - Perfect your skills in positioning to capture crystal-clear radiographs. Nailing the right angles and alignments reduces retakes, lowers radiation dose, and turns you into a radiology rockstar. ASRT Radiography Registry Review
  3. Artifact Detective - Become a sleuth for spotting and fixing common image artifacts like motion blur, double exposures, or pesky grid lines. With these tricks, you'll ensure every image tells the right story. Foothill College: Principles of Radiologic Technology I
  4. Radiation Safety & ALARA - Embrace the ALARA principle (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) to shield patients and yourself from unnecessary exposure. Learn smart techniques like proper shielding and time-distance strategies to stay safe. St. Clair County Community College: Radiologic Technology Handbook
  5. Equipment Operation & Maintenance - Get hands-on with the x-ray tube, collimators, and grids to keep your gear humming smoothly. Regular checks and timely maintenance ensure top performance and patient safety in every shot. Foothill College: Principles of Radiologic Technology I
  6. Anatomy Recognition on Radiographs - Train your eye to identify bones, organs, and soft tissues with pinpoint accuracy. This vital skill improves diagnostic confidence and helps you communicate findings clearly to the care team. ASRT Study Tools
  7. Image Quality Factors - Explore how contrast, density, and resolution shape your radiographs and learn to tweak technical parameters like kVp and mAs. Balancing these elements is your secret to crisp, detailed images. Foothill College: Principles of Radiologic Technology I
  8. Photon Interactions - Uncover the mysteries of the photoelectric effect and Compton scattering, two superstar interactions that define x-ray behavior. Understanding these phenomena helps you predict image contrast and patient dose effectively. Foothill College: Principles of Radiologic Technology I
  9. Beam Restriction & Filtration - Master techniques to limit scatter radiation using collimation and filters, improving image clarity while protecting patients. It's like giving your x-rays a VIP pass to travel straight to the detector. Foothill College: Principles of Radiologic Technology I
  10. Ethics & Legal Responsibilities - Navigate confidentiality, informed consent, and professional conduct to uphold trust and integrity in radiology. Knowing the rules ensures patient rights are respected and your practice stays above board. Oakland Community College: Radiology Technology Handbook
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