Generating the Radiograph

Question 1

What determines the degree to which an x-ray passes through tissue?

Answer 1

A tissue’s radiodensity.

Question 2

Will tissues that are ticker in cross-section absorb more less x-ray?

Answer 2

More.

Question 3

Is the x-ray a positive or negative image?

Answer 3

Negative.

Question 4

What is warp?

Answer 4

• What anatomic region?

- What projection?

Question 5

As an object becomes more radiodense, what will happen to its color on the plain film?

Answer 5

A more dense image will appear more white.

Question 6

How are joint capsules typically evaluated radiographically?

Answer 6

They are injected with contrast medium, and evaluated to see if they travel outside of the joint capsule.

Question 7

How will a cylinder look in a radiograph from the side?

Answer 7

Darker sides; whiter center due to density.

Question 8

What angel is the second in a series of radiographs typically oriented to?

Answer 8

90 degrees to first view to gain 3D representation.

Question 9

What are the 3 categories of patient positioning terminology in radiographs?

Answer 9

• General body position
• Body part closest to image receptor, or body part patient is lying on
• Special terms

Question 10

What are some general body position terms?

Answer 10

• Sitting
• Supine
• Erect
• Recumbent
• Trendelenburg

Question 11

What are 3 special terms for patient positioning?

Answer 11

• Decubitis
• Weight bearing
• Stress x-ray

Question 12

What is the projection?

Answer 12

Path of x-ray through patient

Question 13

What projections are required at minimum for long bones?

Answer 13

An AP and lateral projection.

Question 14

What projections are required at minimum for joints?

Answer 14

• AP
• Lateral
• Oblique

Question 15

How are plain film oriented for viewing?

Answer 15

As though the patient is facing the viewer in the anatomic position, except for hands and feet which are oriented so that the digits face upwards.

Question 16

What are the 5 patient and exam markers?

Answer 16

• Name
• Date
• Age
• Case number
• Institution

Question 17

What are slide markers?

Answer 17

R or L

Question 18

What does INT mean?

Answer 18

Internal rotation of limb

Question 19

What does WTB mean?

Answer 19

Weight bearing

Question 20

What does DECUB mean?

Answer 20

Recumbent patient.

Question 21

What does EXT mean?

Answer 21

External rotation of the limb.

Question 22

What measure determines the blackness of a radiograph, and what is the unit of measurement?

Answer 22

• Density

- mAs

Question 23

How can mAs be regulated?

Answer 23

• Current to filament

- Exposure time

Question 24

What is contrast? What is its unit?

Answer 24

• Shades of gray produced by the peak Kilovoltage (kVp)

Question 25

What type of contrast does a lower kVp produce?

Answer 25

High contrast.

Question 26

What type of contrast does a higher kVp produce?

Answer 26

Low contrast.

Question 27

In a high contrast image, is more or less x-ray beam absorbed?

Answer 27

Less.

Question 28

What is a high contrast image useful in identifying?

Answer 28

Sharp cortical edges of bone.

Question 29

Is more or less x-ray beam absorbed by low contrast images?

Answer 29

More x-ray absorbed.

Question 30

What is a low contrast image useful for viewing?

Answer 30

Soft tissues.

Question 31

What kVp and mAs values produce the best image?

Answer 31

• Highest kVp possible

- Lowest mAs possible

Question 32

What factors affect the sharpness/ blurriness of an image?

Answer 32

• Motion

- Distance from the object to the image receptor

Question 33

What two effects can distortion have on an image?

Answer 33

• Increased distance from the image receptor causes a larger image
• The shape also changes

Question 34

What can somewhat accommodate distortion in an image?

Answer 34

If the patient position is maintained and the distortion is consistent throughout the series.