Radiographic Anatomy and Positioning Quiz

Which of the following terms is NOT a correct radiographic positioning term used in the United States?

The term "Projection" refers to the general physical position of the patient.

The midcoronal plane divides the body into equal anterior and posterior parts.

The term "Axial" refers to:

What are the five general functions involved in a radiographic examination?

What is the definition of the anatomical position?

When a joint is flexed, what happens to the angle between the parts?

What does the term "deviation" refer to?

Which of these is the term for the outward stress movement of the foot at the ankle joint?

What does the term "cephalad" mean?

What is the definition of a "projection" in radiography?

Which of the following is a true statement about the "Anode Heel Effect"?

In the supine position for a chest x-ray, where should the technologist place the top edge of the gonadal shield?

What is the most commonly used landmark for locating T7 on an AP chest?

What is the most common reason for a chest x-ray to be repeated?

What should be done to reduce the chance of the heart appearing magnified on a chest x-ray?

What is the difference between “inspiration” and “expiration” for a chest x-ray?

What is the purpose of a “breathing technique” in chest radiography?

What is the positioning rule for a true lateral chest x-ray?

What is one important patient safety factor to keep in mind when working with geriatric patients?

What is the benefit of using a “breathing technique” when taking a lateral thoracic spine x-ray?

The term "Lordosis" refers to an abnormal increase in convexity of the lumbar spine.

Which of the following is NOT an important factor to consider when taking cervical oblique radiographs for trauma?

What is recommended to avoid causing additional scatter radiation to the image receptor during a lateral cervical spine radiograph?

Which of the following is a good practice to prevent unnecessary radiation exposure to the patient?

Which of these is a condition that commonly affects men from ages 20 to 40?

What is the name of the specific fracture that involves a break in the pedicles of C2?

What is the purpose of taking a PA axial projection of the skull? (Using the Caldwell method)

What are the three main sections of the sternum?

What is the purpose of a “breathing technique” for a sternum x-ray?

Where is the “vertebra prominens” located?

What is the recommended positioning technique for a lateral cervical spine x-ray?

When taking a lateral thoracic spine x-ray, it is recommended to take the view on inspiration.

The “breathing technique” for a lateral thoracic spine x-ray is not recommended when the patient is unable to cooperate.

The term "Kyphosis" refers to an exaggerated anterior concavity of the lumbar spine.

Which of the following is a common reason for a “compression fracture” in the vertebral body?

What does the term “Spondylolisthesis” refer to?

The term "Spondylolysis" refers to the complete fusion of the vertebrae.

What is the purpose of taking a PA axial projection of the lumbar spine?

What is the recommended positioning technique for a lateral lumbar spine x-ray?

The PA projection of the lumbar spine is recommended when imaging patients who have a narrow thorax and a wide pelvis.

What are the two most important safety measures to take when working with pediatric patients?

What is the most common reason for repeat exposures in pediatric radiography?

It is always recommended to position a patient in a prone position for an AP projection of the hips.

The Modified Cleaves Method for an AP bilateral frog-leg projection of the pelvis is recommended for patients with destructive hip disease or hip fracture.

What are the three main structures visualized in a PA projection of the sternum?

What is the purpose of taking an AP axial projection of the sacrum?

What is the purpose of taking a lateral projection of the sacrum and coccyx?

What is the positioning technique for a PA axial projection of the mandible?

What is the recommended positioning technique for an axiolateral oblique projection of the TMJ?

What is the purpose of taking a modified parietoacanthial projection of the sinuses (using the open-mouth Waters Method)?

The “modified Waters method” is a good alternative way to visualize the sphenoid sinuses in patients who are unable to obtain a submentovertex (SMV) position.

In an AP axial projection of the skull (using the Towne method), what should the technologist adjust to ensure that the petrous ridges are visualized symmetrically?

In a lateral projection of the skull, what is the landmark for centering the CR? For other types of morphologies?

What is the recommended positioning technique for a lateral projection of the facial bones?

What are the recommended exposure factors for a lateral projection of the facial bones?

The technologist should avoid using a grid for a lateral projection of the nasal bones.

The "modified Waters Method" is a good alternative to the parietoacanthial method when visualizing the optic foramina.

A “blowout fracture” of the orbit can result from a direct blow to the cheek.

Pituitary adenomas can often be diagnosed using a conventional lateral skull x-ray

Osteomyelitis of the paranasal sinuses can be caused by bacteria from a penetrating trauma, a fractured bone, or a sinus polyp.

What are the three main structures visualized in a lateral projection of the sinuses?

What is the recommended positioning technique for a PA projection of the sternum?

To obtain optimal image quality, what are the most important factors to consider when taking a lateral projection of the cervical spine?

The "breathing technique" is the preferred method for taking a lateral cervical x-ray.

A “swayback” is another term for “Scoliosis.”

Scoliosis can negatively impact how well an affected person is able to move.

It is recommended to position the patient in a prone position for a posterior oblique projection of the thoracic spine.

When taking an AP axial projection of the cervical spine, it is recommended to use a higher kV range than for an open-mouth projection of the cervical spine.

What are the five types of bone lesions of the thoracic spine?

The term "Ankylosing Spondylitis" often affects women between the ages of 20 and 40.

A “Clay Shoveler’s Fracture” usually involves the spinous processes of C1 through C3.

Which of these are commonly used general body positions in medical imaging?

What is the goal of sedation and analgesia in medical imaging?

Which of these is NOT a common method used for administering conscious sedation?

Conscious sedation is an induced state of sedation characterized by a minimally depressed consciousness.

What is the name for a drug that relieves pain without loss of consciousness?

Which of these is a category of sedative used for conscious sedation?

Which of these are NOT a common benzodiazepine medication used for conscious sedation?

Barbiturates are commonly used for conscious sedation due to their effectiveness as anxiolytics.

Which of these are often used as reversal agents to stabilize the effects of sedatives and analgesics?

A clear reversal protocol should be developed and prominently displayed wherever sedation or analgesia is used.

Which of these is NOT a vital component of a safe sedation protocol?

What is an essential item for a well-stocked resuscitation/emergency cart?

What is an example of an airway maintenance device that is commonly used for conscious sedation?

Suction equipment should be regularly checked and immediately available.

Which of these is NOT typically included in a monitoring device for conscious sedation?

A properly staffed recovery area and formalized communication are essential for safe after-care and discharge.

It is only necessary to record sedation-related complications in the case of a severe adverse reaction.

Regular audits of sedation practice should be performed to ensure ongoing safety and quality of care.

The presence of a sedation committee is not essential in every institution or hospital that uses sedation for patient care.

Gonadal shielding is not recommended for female patients during an abdominal series as it may obscure essential anatomy.

The kV settings for digital imaging are generally lower than film-screen imaging.

The patient's primary position for lumbar spine projections should have the knees extended.

The use of gonadal shielding is not recommended for male patients during lumbar spine projections.

The erect position is the preferred position for obtaining a lateral projection of the lumbar spine.

A 5° to 8° cephalic angle is often used to aid in visualizing the intervertebral foramina when obtaining a lateral lumbar spine projection.

When performing an AP axial projection of the L5-S1 joint, the technologist should angle the CR 30° cephalad for a male patient and 35° cephalad for a female patient.

The positioning of the sacrum typically requires the technologist to use a 10° to 15° caudal angle when using an AP axial projection.

The lateral projection of the sacrum and coccyx is recommended to decrease gonadal doses.

The lateral projection of the coccyx requires a lower kV than the lateral sacrum projection.

When positioning the patient for an AP axial projection of the sacroiliac joints, the technologist should angle the CR 30° to 35° cephalad.

The positioning of the patient for obtaining an AP axial projection of the sacroiliac joints should have the patient's knees extended.

When performing a posterior oblique projection of the sacroiliac joints, the technologist should use a 25° to 30° posterior oblique angle with the side of interest elevated.

When performing a posterior oblique projection of the sacroiliac joints, it is best to position the CR to the side of interest.

When performing an AP axial projection of the skull (Towne method), the technologist should angle the CR 30° to the OML or 37° to the IOML.

The PA axial projection of the optic foramina (Rhese method) is a specialized projection that is often used to visualize fractures of the orbital bones.

The lateral projection of the facial bones is performed with the patient in a supine position.

The submentovertical (SMV) projection of the sinuses is an alternative projection that can be performed on patients who are unable to perform the Waters projection.

The technologist can utilize the submentovertical (SMV) projection for patients who cannot perform the Waters projection.

The parietoacanthial transoral projection is performed with the patient's mouth closed.

The submentovertical (SMV) projection is a good alternative to the Waters projection for visualizing the sphenoid sinuses.

The parietoacanthial (Waters) projection is also known as the open-mouth Waters projection.

When performing a lateral projection of the facial bones, it is essential to center the CR to the zygoma.

The axiolateral oblique projection of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is performed with the patient's mouth closed.

When performing a lateral projection of the paranasal sinuses, the technologist should use a horizontal beam.

The submentovertical (SMV) projection is only recommended for visualizing the sphenoid sinuses.

The parietoacanthial transoral projection is a recommended alternative projection for visualizing the sphenoid sinuses for patients who are unable to perform the submentovertical (SMV) projection.

The parietoacanthial transoral projection is performed with the patient in a supine position.

What are the two general body positions for obtaining radiographs?

Gonadal shielding should be used during all radiographic examinations unless it interferes with the study.

The minimum source image receptor distance should be 40 inches.

The use of very short SID (source image receptor distance) results in less magnification and a higher quality image.

The use of a small focal spot results in a sharper image.

It is not necessary to use a grid during lateral cervical and thoracic spine radiographs.

The use of a breathing technique should be recommended to blur structures that overlie the thoracic vertebrae.

The use of a lead blocker should be recommended during lateral thoracic and lumbar spine radiography.

What type of imaging is often used for evaluating spinal trauma?

MRI is a preferred imaging modality for evaluating the intervertebral disks and spinal cord.

It is generally not recommended to position a patient with ankylosing spondylitis in an erect position.

Compression fractures typically occur in the lumbar region.

Spondylolysis and spina bifida are both considered congenital defects.

Spondylolisthesis occurs more frequently in the cervical spine.

Osteoporosis is a condition that can affect the bones of the entire axial skeleton, including the spine.

Myelography is the preferred imaging modality for visualizing the spinal canal.

It is not recommended to use a grid during a lateral projection of the cervical spine if the patient's neck measures less than 10 cm.

The use of a breathing technique is essential for maintaining adequate detail during a lateral projection of the cervical spine.

It is only necessary to collimate on two sides of the anatomy when performing an AP or lateral projection of the thoracic spine.

The patient's position for a lateral thoracic spine projection is most often supine.

The use of a lead blocker is recommended to reduce the amount of scatter radiation during a lateral thoracic spine projection.

It is not necessary to radiographically evaluate the C 7/T1 junction, if there is no indication of cervical spine pathology.

A breathing technique is recommended to blur out ribs and lung markings when performing a lateral thoracic spine projection.

It is not recommended to use a lead mat during a lateral thoracic spine projection.

The patient's position for an anterior oblique projection of the thoracic spine is often supine.

The patient's position for an anterior oblique projection of the thoracic spine should have the patient's arms at their sides.

The patient's position for performing an anterior oblique projection of the thoracic spine should have the patient's chest rotated 20° from true lateral.

The patient's position for performing a posterior oblique projection of the thoracic spine should have the patient's chest rotated 45° to the midline from true lateral.

The posterior oblique projections of the thoracic spine demonstrate the upside zygapophyseal joints, and the anterior oblique projections demonstrate the downside zygapophyseal joints.