Diagnostic Tests Flashcards
Xrays are sometimes referred to as _______ rays, which are named after their discoverer, Wilhelm Konrad Roentgen.
Roentgen rays.
X-ray films are produced by exposing __________ to the __________ from an ___________.
X-ray films are produced by exposingsensitized filmto theenergy wavesfrom anx-ray generatoror acathode ray tube
When part of a body is positioned between an x-ray source and sensitized film, the result is a _______ of that body part.
an image or a shadow
_________ appear in various shades of black, white and gray.
Radiographs
Ther areas where x-rays _________ appear black.
Ther areas where x-rays strike the film directly appear black.
The areas where the x-rays are ________ appear in shades of white or gray.
The areas where the x-rays are blocked by tissues of varying densitiesappear in shades of white or gray.
_______ appears on the film as a shade of gray, and _____ appears as a shade of white.
Soft tissue - less denseappears on the film as a shade of gray, and bone - relatively denseappears as a shade of white.
What are 6 characteristics of X-rays?
X-rays Cause exposure of a photographic plate
Penetratedifferent substances Invisibility Travel instraight lines
Scatteringof radiation Ionization
EPISSIExposure, penetration, invisibility, straight lines, scattering, ionization
A _______ usually takes the films while a _______ interprets and performs intervening procedures.
A technicianusually takes the films while a radiologist interprets and performs intervening procedures.
A _______ is a medical doctor with years of special training in medical imaging.
Radiologist
When the photographic plate is placed in front of x-ray beams, the x-rays have the ability to change the plate from ____ to ____.
When the photographic plate is placed in front of x-ray beams, the x-rays have the ability to change the plate from silver to black.
T or F. X-rays oass through body substances with varying ease.
True.
_____ is the least dense substance and exhibits the greatest transmission
Air.
What is the least dense and most dense between fat, water (soft tissue) and metal (bone)?
Fat is theleast densebut isdenser than air. Water or soft tissue is denser than fat. Metal or bone is the most dense.Least dense to most dense:Fat > water > metal
______ is the most dense and transmits the least.
Metal orboneis the most dense and transmits the least.
What does it mean when a substance absorbs x-rays?
The x-rays arestoppedby the substance.
T or F. If the x-rays are absorbed by the denser body substance (e.g. bones), they don’t reach the photographic plate held behind the patient, and white areas ar left in the x-ray film.
True.
_________ structures permit the passage of most x-rays and appear black on x-ray film.
Radiolucent
_______ structures obstruct the passage of x-rays and appear white on x-ray film.
Radiopaque.
T or F. X-rays can be detected by sight, sound, or touch.
False.
Workers exposed to x-rays must wear a ________ to detect and record the amount of radiation to which they have been exposed.
A film badge.
X-ray characteristic of travelling straight lines allows for the formation of ______ shadow images on the x-ray plates.
X-ray characteristic of travelling straight lines allows for the formation of precise shadow images on the x-ray plates.
T or F. Straight x-ray beams allows beams to be directed accurately at a tissue site during radiotherapy.
True.
___________ occurs when x-rays come in contact with any material.
Scattering.
Greater scatter occurs with _______ objects and fewer scatter occurs with __________ substances.
Greater scatter occurs withdenseobjects and fewer scatter occurs withradiolucentsubstances.
Scatter can ______ images and ______ areas of film that otherwise would be in shadow. To eliminate this, a _____ is placed in front of the film to absorbed scattered radiation before it strikes the x-ray film.
Scatter can blurimages and exposeareas of film that otherwise would be in shadow. To eliminate this, a grid is placed in front of the film to absorbed scattered radiation before it strikes the x-ray film.
X-rays ____ substances through which they pass. In radiation therapy, this effect helps kill cancerous cells. In several doses, this effect can affect normal body cells which leads to tissue damage and malignant changes.
Ionize.
T or F. When a disease isn’t diagnosed by using plain x-ray filming, then special radiological diagnostic procedures are performed.
True.
A _________ is a radipaque substance used in diagnostic radiology to allow a more accurate visualization of internal body parts and tissues in contrast to their adjacent structures.
Contrast medium
T or F. Contrast media are liquids administered orally.
Partially true. Contrast media are liquids, powders, gas, air, or pill that can be administered orally, parenterally, or via enema.
How does contrast media work?
Contrast mediaopacifiesthe body part(s) under examination so the structure and functions of the organs can therefore be observed in more detail.
Give two examples of contrast media.
Barium sulfate and iodine compounds
________ is a harmless, opaque, chalkycompound available inpremixed, flavored liquid.
Barium sulfate
What are the two main types of x-ray and fluoroscopic examinations of th GI tract that barium sulfate is used for?
Upper GI series (barium swallow) Lower GI series (barium enema)
In ______ an oral ingestion of barium mixture is used to outline the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine.
Upper GI series
In _____ a barium mixture is given through an enema and outlines the colon.
Lower GI series
________ are radiopaque fluids used as contrast dye and containup to 50% of its main element.
Iodine compounds
X-ray recording ofblood vesselsand theheart chambersfollowing the injection of contrast medium through acatheterinserted into thevessel in issue.
Angiography
X-rays are taken after the dye has been injected into theaortaor into anartery in the groin
Arteriography
X-ray recording of ajointafter contrast medium injected into joint
Arthrography
X-ray recording of thebronchial tree and lungs. Instillation of a contrast medium into thebronchi via the trachea
Bronchography
X-ray recording of thebile ducts. Dye injectedintravenously, percutaneously, or orally(directed by liver into the bile ducts)
Cholangiography
X-ray recording of thegallbladder and bile ducts.Orally ingested. Radiopaque granules or tablet, IV injection
Cholecystography
Imaging ofblood vesselsin which a computersubtracts obscuring shadowsfrom the image, allowingonly vesselsto be seen.Two x-raysare taken (the first x-raywithoutcontrast).
Digital subtraction angiography (DSA)
X-ray recording of theuterus and fallopian tube(s)after injecting a contrast medium through thevaginaandinto the uterus
Hysterosalphigography
x-ray recording of the lymphatic vessels and lymph glands after the injection of a contrast medium into the lymphatic system
Lymphangiography/lymphography
x-ray recording of the renal pelvis and urinary tract after contrast medium is injected into a vein
Intravenous pyelography
x-ray recording of the renal pelvis and urinary tract after dye is injected through a catheter into the urethra, bladder, and ureters; warranted when the patient is allergic to thec dye or if the patient has poor renal function making it impossible to use the IV dye
retrograde pyelography
same procedure used as for retrograde pyelography; bladder is filled with dye and x-rays are taken when the patient is voiding urine through the urethra.
Voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)
x-ray recording of veins after contrast medium has been given intravenously
venography (phlebography)
________refers to procedures performed by a radiologist while the patient is undergoing x-rays, angiogram, CT, MRI, or ultrasound.
Interventional radiology
Some examples ofinterventional procedures are:
- placement of drainage catheters
- drainage of abscesses
- instillation of antibiotics
- treatment of arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in the brain via gamma-knife radiosurgery
- biopsy of internal organs using imaging guidance for placement of the biopsy needle
The body part to be imaged must be positioned correctly between the film containing plate and the x-ray source.The body part is positioned closest to the ________.
The body part is positioned closest to the cassette.
Before the x-ray film is taken, ______are placed on the ________to indicate the ______used, the patient’s _______, and the ______ of the filming.
Before the x-ray film is taken, markers are placed on the film-containing cassette to indicate the position used, the patient’s identification, and the date of the filming.Position, Identification, Date: DIP
x-ray beam is directed from front to back; patient may be in a supine or standing position, having the back near the film and the front facing x-ray tube
Anteroposterior (AP) view
x-ray beam is directed from back to front; patient is usually in an upright position, having the back facing the x-ray tube and the front near the film
Posteroanterior(PA) viewFF – front near film
x-ray beam is directed from one side
Lateral view
Theright side of the body is near the film and the x-ray tube is pointed toward the left side
Right lateral (RL) view
the left side of the body is nearest the film
left lateral (LL) view
x-ray tube is positioned at an angle that is not PA, AP, or lateral (an anglefrom the perpendicular plane);used to show regions that would be hidden in routine views
Oblique view
beam is directed toward the axilla (armpit)
axillary view
beam is directed from the midline toward the side of the part being filmed
mediolateral view
x-ray beam is directed from the midline toward the side with the patient laying on their back
supine mediolateral view
beam is directed from the superior to inferior levels (“head to toe”)
craniocaudal view – can mean head to toe, top to bottom of hand, etc
movement drawing away from the middle
abduction
movement drawing toward the middle
adduction
turning outward
eversion
turning inward
inversion
movement in which a limb is placed in a straight position
extension
movement in which a limb is bent
flexion
lying down on the side with the x-ray beam horizontally positioned; also referred to as “cross-table lateral”
lateral decubitus
lying face down
prone
lying down (either prone or supine)
Recumbent
lying on back
supine
________ is the medical specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disease processes with the use of radioactive substances.
Nuclear medicine
_______ are substances that give off high-energy particles or rays as they disintegrate.
Radionucleids or radioisotopes
_______ is the time required for radeonuclidesto lose half of its radioactivity by disintegration. This must be long enough to allow for diagnostic imaging but as short as possible to minimize patient exposure to radiation.
Half-life
_______ isa half-life of six hours, is an ideal radionuclide and is most often used in diagnostic nuclear imaging.
Technetium-99m (99mTc)
What are the three types of radioactivity that radionuclides emit?
Alpha particles – low penetrating power
Beta particles – penetrate a few millimeters of skin
Gamma rays – have greater penetrating ability than either alpha or beta particles, and are thus very useful in diagnosing and treating diseases
________ involves analysis of blood and urine specimens using radioactive chemicals.
In vitro (in test tube)procedures
___ is an example of an in vitro procedure that combinesradioactivechemicals and antibodies to detecthormones and drugsin a patient’s blood. This can detect minute amounts of drugs in the urine and blood.
RIA (radioimmunoassay)
______ are the scanning of a tracer as it binds with specific substances and is followed with a scan or fluoroscope as it passes through varous organs or systems.
Tracer studies
In vivo tests trace the amounts of _______after they are given directly to a patient to evaluate the function of an organ or to image it.
radioactive substances
_______ means “in the body”.
In vivo
A _______ (also referred to as a tag or label) is a radioactive isotope that is used in diagnostic x-ray techniques to allow a biologic process to be seen.
Tracer
Give examples of tracers.
radioactive iodine (131I) and radioactive carbon (14C)
A ________(labeled compound) is a combination of a radionuclide and a drug or chemical. These can be used to diagnose a condition, and sometimes as a treatment.
radiopharmaceutical
T or F. Each radiopharmaceutical is designed to concentrate in a certain organ. The organ can then be imaged with the radiation given off by the radionuclide.
True.
The _______is a protective barrier found in the brain that prevents almost all forms of drugs and toxic material from entering the brain. Without this natural protection, radionuclides could not be used for diagnostic purposes.
blood brain barrier (BBB)
________ are performed following an intravenous injection of a radiopharmaceutical. It is used to aid in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism by looking for blocked blood vessels.
Perfusion lung scans
________ are usually done in conjunction with a perfusion scan, again to diagnose pulmonary emboli. The patient inhales a radioactive gas which fills the alveoli. The lungs are then scanned to detect nonfunctional or impaired areas.
Ventilation lung scans
What are the twoforms of radionucleotide heart scans?
MUGA (Multiple-gated acquisition) scan Thallium stress test
A _______is a scan done at rest to examine the function of the right and left ventricles of the heart. Technetium-99 (99Tc) is injected intravenously and the blood flow is imaged as it passes through the chambers of the heart and large blood vessels.It is used to diagnose heart wall abnormalities subsequent to heart disease.
MUGA (multiple-gated acquisition scan)
In a MUGA scan, _________ images are recorded on film to give a motion picture of the passage of blood through the heart.
Sequential images
__________ or a thallium scan, is done at exertion. The patient walks and/or runs on a treadmill until they reach their maximum exercise potential and then thallium-201 ( 201Tl) is injected.
Cardiac radionuclide imaging
In a thallium stress test,the coronary circulation is examined using a ________ which candetect myocardial necrosis.
gamma or positron camera
________ are done to diagnose metastases from a primary cancer site; the metastases show up as “hot spots” on the scan. Theseare also helpful in diagnosing fractures not evident on conventional x-rays, as well as bone infections.During this scan, aradiopharmaceutical (99mTc and phosphate) is intravenously injected and the skeleton is imaged in ______hours by the use of a _______.
Bone scans, two to three hours, gamma camera
______ are used to detect infarctions, abscesses and hematomas.The radiopharmaceutical 99mTc pertechnetate is injected intravenously. ____ hours later images of the brain are scanned.
Brain scans, two hours
T or F. Normal brainscans will showno uptake of the radiopharmaceutical because of the properly functioning blood brain barrier (BBB); if the BBB is broken down by tumor or disease, the radiopharmaceutical enters the brain and shows up on the brain scan.
True.
__________ areused to image a number of different tissues. They use the radioisotope gallium-67 (67Ga). The element involved is attracted to lymph tumors and non-neoplastic lesions like infections and abscesses.
Gallium scans
________ can detect abnormalities such as cirrhosis, abscess, tumor, hepatomegaly, andhepatitis. Radiopharmaceutical 99mTC and sulfur colloid is injectedintravenously.
Liver scans
________ can diagnosesplenomegaly due to tumor, cyst, abscess, or rupture.
Spleen scans
T or F. Images taken with the gamma camera during liver and spleen scans shows areas oftumoraswhite spots, indicating reduced uptake.
False. Shows areas of tumor asblankspots
__________ teststhe rate of hormone synthesis by the thyroid gland.The radioactive iodine compound Iodine-131 (131I) is given orally by capsule.
Radioactive Iodine Uptake (Thyroid Gland)
The amount of radioactivity taken up by the thyroid during the process of making thyroid hormones is measured at __ and __hours and compared with normal values.
6 and 24 hours
During ______ 131I is administered intravenously, and then a scan is done to determine the size and shape of the thyroid gland.
Thyroid scans
Hyperfunctioning thyroid nodules accumulate higher amounts of 131I radioactivity and are termed “____”. Thyroid carcinoma does not concentrate radioiodine well and is seen as a “____” spot on the scan.
hot and cold
______ involves an intravenous injection of a ______and computer reconstruction of a______ image from many views.It is basically combining a CT scan with a radioactive tracer. It can detect liver tumors and cardiac ischemia as well as evaluate spinal bone disease. It is also being used more commonly to evaluate blood flow in the brain.
Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), radioactive tracer, 3D
In the case of malignant tumor growth, _________can be used to shrink and/or destroy the tumor andfor palliative treatment to relieve the pain associated with metastases.
radiation
When radiation is applied for treatment of cancer and various other conditions, it is called ___________.
radiation therapy, radiotherapy, or radiation oncology (or is sometimes abbreviated Xrt/XRT)
The purposeof radiation therapyis to administer a specific amount of _________ to a specified ________ to ________ diseased cells. It’s primary target is ____.
The purposeof radiation therapyis to administer a specific amount of radiation to a specified location to irradiate diseased cells. The primary target is DNA.
T or F. Radiation therapy alters the diseased cell so that itcan’t reproduce and will eventually age and die, leaving no new cells behind.
True.
