Rad Tech Boot Camp #1

Radiographs that present with significantly decreased exposure on the lateral edges of the image and normal exposure in the center is most likely caused by which focused grid error

Upside-down grid error

What is the appropriate AEC adjustment when imaging a patient who has undergone silicone breast implant surgery

Decrease the sensitivity of the AEC detectors

Considering the effects of focal spot size on image detail, what is a potential drawback of using a very small focal spot during radiographic imaging of small body parts

Increased heat load on the tube

When reviewing a radiograph of the wrist, what is a key indicator that proper collimation has been achieved

The absence of scatter radiation artifacts

Which of the following is a visual indicator of overexposure in a digital radiographic image of the knee

Extremely dark appearance of bony landmarks

How should a radiographer adjust the imaging parameters to compensate for a pediatric patient's decreased body mass compared to an adult

Decrease kVp and increase mAs

How should the AEC be adjusted for an abdominal X-ray of a patient with a history of chronic kidney disease

Ensure AEC detectors are positioned relative to the kidneys

During a digital radiographic examination of the abdomen, the initial image shows a substantial amount of quantum mottle. According to the technique chart, the appropriate settings are 80 kVp and 16 mAs. Which adjustment should the technologist make to improve image exposure

Increase mAs to 32

In radiography, how does the AEC system adjust when imaging thicker body parts

Increases exposure time

What is the role of AEC in digital radiography when used alongside technique charts

To automatically adjust exposure time

A radiographic marker that says "scout" is considered what kind of marker

Procedure

During a pelvis radiograph, how might incorrect AEC cell selection affect the outcome

It could lead to overexposure or underexposure

A radiograph is produced using 10 mAs and 90 kVp. If the kVp is decreased to 77, what new mAs value would need to be used to maintain image receptor exposure

20 mAs

Which two of the following changes will minimize size distortion

- Decreased object-to-image distance (OID)

- Increased source-to-image distance (SID)

Which two of the following are ways a radiologic technologist could adjust the AEC settings for pediatric patients to avoid overexposure

- Increase the sensitivity of the AEC detectors

- Utilize a lower energy X-ray beam

What parameter should be adjusted first when a radiograph of the shoulder shows underexposure

Increase the mAs

For improving the contrast in a soft tissue neck radiograph, which of the following adjustments would be most effective

Using a lower kVp settings

Which of the following technical factors is the controlling factor for image receptor (IR) exposure

Milliampere-seconds (mAs)

What is the best practice when using AEC for a posteroanterior (PA) chect radiograph on a patient with severe kyphosis

Adjust the placement of AEC detectors to better align with the anatomical changes

How does the orientation of the X-ray beam relative to the anatomical part and the image receptor influence distortion in radiographic imaging

Perpendicular orientation minimizes distortion

For a lateral cervical spine radiograph, the technique chart recommends 70 kVp and 16 mAs. The patient has severe osteoarthritis. What adjustment should be considered

Keep both kVp and mAs as recommended

How is a gross overexposure error demonstrates in digital image

Missing data points

Increasing the focal spot size has what effect on spatial resolution

Decreased spatial resolution

Which side marker would be used for a standard lateral chest radiograph

L

In digital radiography, what is the impact of increasing the matrix size on the image

Increased spatial resolution

A radiograph with few shades of gray exhibits

High contrast

In the context of digital radiography, what direct effect does the application of a higher grid ratio have on image quality

Increases contrast resolution and reduces scatter radiation

What is the primary factor influencing spatial resolution in a digital radiographic image

Pixel size

Which factor would most likely improve the spatial resolution in a radiographic image of the wrist

Decreasing the FSS

Assuming all other technical factors are constant, which field size produce the lowest image receptor exposure

8 inches x 10 inches

When performing cross-table lateral radiographs, where should the technologist place the marker to avoid anatomy of interest

Anteriorly

When reviewing SNR values on a detector does graph, what would indicate an optimal setting for achieving a balance between dose efficiency and image quality

Highest SNR at the lowest dose

In the context of digital radiography, what is the likely implication of a lower than expected exposure indicator value on a knee radiograph where soft tissues are well visualized

Automatic rescaling fixed underexposure

If a radiograph was taken using a 40-inch SID and the image was repeated using an 80-inch SID, what change would be needed to maintain image receptor exposure

Increase the milliampere-seconds (mAs) by a factor of 4

Which technique should be employed to reduce motion blur in digital radiography imaging of a pediatric patient

Shortening the exposure time

A digital radiograph of the hand is needed for a pediatric patient. The technique chart suggests 55 kVp and 2.5 mAs for an adult. Which setting is most appropriate for the pediatric patient

50 kVp and 2 mAs

What can the radiographer do to fix the quantum noise in this radiographic image

Increase mAs

A forearm radiograph is acquired using 2.5 milliampere-seconds (mAs) and 60 kilovoltage peak (kVp). In order to double image receptor exposure without other techniques changes, what new kVp is required

69 kVp

In a PA chest radiograph, what is the significance of ensuring that the scapulae rotated out of the lung fields

To prevent obscuration of the lung fields

A radiograph is taken using 12 milliampere-seconds (mAs) with no grid. If an 8:1 grid is needed in order to improve image quality, what new mAs value will maintain image receptor exposure

48 mAs

What is the main purpose of applying a grid in radiographic imaging

Enhance the contrast by absorbing scatter radiation

In examining the digital radiograph of a hand, a technologist notices that the carpal bones are not as sharply defined. What factor is most likely limiting the spatial resolution in the image

Pixel size

A radiograph is acquired using 12.5 milliampere-seconds (mAs) at a 40-inch source-to-image distance (SID) and results in excessive magnification. If the SID is changed to 80 inches, what new mAs should be used to maintain image receptor exposure

50 mAs

What is a consequence of the AEC detectors being too peripheral during a lateral chest X-ray

Underexposure

A technologist's radiographic markers have three small metal balls in each marker. What is the purpose of these metal balls

To indicate patient position

During a pelvic radiograph, what positioning error is indicated if the obturator foramen are asymmetric

Rotation of the pelvis

Consider this scenario: while performing a cross-table lateral cervical spine, you decrease the source-to-image distance (SID) from 72 inches to 60 inches. How will this modification affect the spatial resolution in the image

Decreased spatial resolution

When evaluating a radiograph of the chest, which quality indicator should the radiographer assess to determine if the diaphragm has been properly visualized

Costophrenic angles clearance

Increasing the field-of-view will have what effect on the pixel size

Increased pixel size

Basic guidelines for radiographic marker usage include which of the following

The marker should never obscure anatomy