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Quizzes > Health & Medicine

Radiology Positioning Quiz: Patient Care and Imaging Basics

Quick, free xray positioning quiz with patient care checks. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Alyssa BilyeuUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art displaying Radiographic Positioning and Patient Care Quiz theme

Use this quiz to practice radiographic positioning and patient care, so you can set up views correctly and support patients safely. Strengthen your anatomy cues with the body landmarks quiz, review basics in the anatomical position quiz, and sharpen vocabulary with the directional terms quiz. You'll answer 15 multiple-choice questions and see which topics to revisit before lab or a skills check.

What is the standard SID for an upright PA chest radiograph to minimize heart magnification?
40 inches (102 cm)
60 inches (152 cm)
44 inches (112 cm)
72 inches (183 cm)
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For a PA projection of the hand to evaluate overall anatomy, how should the fingers be positioned to reduce overlap?
Extended and slightly separated
Fully adducted and touching
Hyperextended with wrist flexed
Flexed into a fist
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In abdominal radiography, what breathing instruction is typically used to minimize diaphragm motion?
Expose during Valsalva
Expose during shallow breathing
Expose on suspended respiration after expiration
Expose on inspiration
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The Pigg-O-Stat is primarily used for which type of patient and projection?
Geriatric lateral hip
Adult AP lumbar spine
Trauma lateral cervical spine
Pediatric upright chest
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When communicating with geriatric patients, which approach is most appropriate to improve understanding?
Speak quickly to limit exam time
Avoid written instructions
Use medical jargon to be precise
Speak clearly, at an appropriate volume, and allow extra response time
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ALARA emphasizes which three primary principles of radiation protection?
Grid, collimation, filtration
Consent, documentation, follow-up
Time, distance, shielding
mAs, kVp, SID
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The most appropriate IR size selection should be based on which factor first?
The anatomy of interest and collimation needs
Exposure time
Technologist preference
The largest cassette available to avoid cut-off
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For a lateral projection of the knee, what degree of knee flexion is typically recommended to best demonstrate the joint space without patellofemoral compression?
80 to 90 degrees
5 to 10 degrees
45 to 60 degrees
20 to 30 degrees
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During an AP projection of the scapula, which positioning action helps free the scapula from the thorax?
Internally rotate the arm with elbow flexed
Abduct the arm and supinate the hand
Cross both arms over the chest
Have the patient drop the affected arm to the side
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Gonadal shielding is most effective when the gonads lie within approximately what distance from the primary beam?
20 cm
5 cm
2 cm
10 cm
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A mild allergic-like reaction to iodinated contrast most commonly presents with which sign?
Urticaria (hives) and pruritus
Syncope with asystole
Severe hypotension
Bronchospasm with hypoxia
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The primary factor determining when to use a grid in radiography is which of the following?
SID longer than 40 inches
mAs above 20 mAs
Exposure time longer than 0.2 seconds
kVp typically above about 70-80 kVp for thicker parts
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The anode heel effect results in which distribution of x-ray intensity across the beam?
Greater intensity toward the anode side
Equal intensity at both anode and cathode sides
Random intensity variation
Greater intensity toward the cathode side
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For a potentially pregnant patient requiring pelvic imaging, the best immediate radiation protection strategy is which of the following?
Eliminate collimation to avoid repeats
Place a lead apron over the abdomen and pelvis when compatible with the exam
Increase SID instead of shielding
Switch to a higher kVp
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Maintaining a sterile field requires that which of the following is considered non-sterile?
The top surface of a draped table above waist level
The 1-inch (2.5 cm) border around a sterile drape
Instruments opened without contamination
Sterile gloves kept above the waist
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The left lateral decubitus abdominal projection is preferred to demonstrate free intraperitoneal air because it places which structure as the nondependent side?
Left hemidiaphragm
Right costophrenic angle
Right hemidiaphragm
Left costophrenic angle
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In a left lateral decubitus chest, a small left pleural effusion is best demonstrated as fluid layering where?
Apical pleural cap
Anterior mediastinum
Left lateral chest wall
Right lateral chest wall
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For male patients, appropriate gonadal shielding is placed where during AP pelvis imaging?
Directly over the symphysis pubis only
Over the iliac crests
Between the symphysis and the scrotum, shielding the testes without covering the anatomy of interest
Over the greater trochanters
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De-identification of images before teaching use in a classroom setting is best achieved by which step?
Converting to JPEG only
Renaming files to random strings without changing metadata
Cropping out anatomy
Removing patient identifiers in PACS or DICOM headers
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Current adult CPR guidelines recommend which compression rate and depth?
60 to 80/min at 1 inch (2.5 cm) depth
80 to 100/min at 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) depth
140 to 160/min at 3 inches (7.5 cm) depth
100 to 120/min at 2 to 2.4 inches (5 to 6 cm) depth
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply proper radiographic positioning for common exams.
  2. Identify patient care protocols during imaging procedures.
  3. Demonstrate correct equipment alignment and safety measures.
  4. Evaluate image quality and troubleshoot positioning errors.
  5. Master communication strategies to enhance patient comfort.
  6. Analyse anatomical landmarks for precise image acquisition.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Mastering Patient Positioning - Getting your patient into the perfect stance is half the battle! For chest X-rays, have them stand tall with shoulders rolled forward so the scapulae don't cover the lung fields. This not only sharpens your image but reduces repeats and patient discomfort. Learn more
  2. Understanding Anatomical Planes - Imagine slicing an orange three different ways: sagittal divides left and right, coronal splits front and back, and axial cuts top from bottom. Knowing these "slices" helps you orient images correctly and speak the same language as radiologists. Learn more
  3. Effective Patient Communication - A friendly explanation can turn nervous frowns into relaxed smiles! Walk your patient through each step, encourage questions, and use clear, simple language. Calm patients stay still better - resulting in crisp, diagnostic-quality images. Learn more
  4. Precise Equipment Alignment - Think of your X-ray tube, detector, and collimator like three dance partners - when they're perfectly in sync, you get a stunning performance. Center the ray, adjust your collimation, and double-check angles to maximize image clarity and minimize dose. Learn more
  5. Analyzing Anatomical Landmarks - Landmarks like the iliac crest or jugular notch are your GPS for imaging - it's all about precision! Locating them correctly ensures you capture the exact area needed for diagnosis. Practice makes perfect, so get hands-on with models or real cases. Learn more
  6. Implementing Safety Measures - Lead aprons and thyroid shields aren't just accessories - they're lifesavers. Proper shielding protocols protect sensitive organs and keep radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable. Always double-check that every apron fits snugly! Learn more
  7. Evaluating Image Quality - After the shot, play detective: scrutinize contrast, brightness, and check for unwanted artifacts. A quick review means fewer retakes, better diagnoses, and happier patients. Develop a checklist to streamline your quality assessments. Learn more
  8. Following Patient Care Protocols - Verifying identity and obtaining informed consent may sound routine, but it's the backbone of ethical practice. A friendly ID check and simple consent form keep everyone on the same page and protect you legally. Never skip these essentials! Learn more
  9. Spotting Common Positioning Errors - Rotation, tilt, and off-centering are the usual suspects when images go awry. Train your eye to catch these mistakes early, then adjust patient posture or equipment settings on the fly. Quick troubleshooting saves time and stress. Learn more
  10. Embracing Continuous Education - Radiographic techniques evolve fast, so keep sharpening your skills through workshops, webinars, and study groups. Every new tip or trick adds to your confidence and competence in the radiology suite. Make learning a daily habit! Learn more
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