ARRT Vascular Interventional Mock Exam
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | ARRT VI
Certification | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Content Area Overview
This actual examination reflects the comprehensive clinical and technical knowledge required for
success on the ARRT Vascular-Interventional Radiography (VI) certification examination. The exam is
designed to evaluate the candidate's understanding of vascular anatomy, interventional procedures,
patient care, radiation safety, and equipment operation. Questions are structured to assess recall of
fundamental concepts, application of clinical reasoning to procedural scenarios, and analysis of complex
patient presentations. This authentic question bank represents the style and content of actual ARRT VI
exams and serves as a comprehensive resource for candidates demonstrating readiness for the official
160+50-question ARRT examination.
SECTION I: Equipment and Instrumentation (8 Questions)
Q1. During a digital subtraction angiography (DSA) procedure, the technologist notes that the
subtracted image shows significant motion artifact. Which post-processing technique is most
appropriate to reduce this artifact?
A. Increasing the kilovoltage peak (kVp)
B. Pixel shifting or remasking [CORRECT]
C. Increasing the milliampere-seconds (mAs)
D. Decreasing the frame rate
The best answer is B. Pixel shifting or remasking allows the technologist to realign the mask image with
the contrast-filled image to compensate for patient motion, which is a common cause of subtraction
artifacts in DSA. This aligns with digital imaging principles that post-processing tools are designed to
salvage images affected by motion, breathing, or peristalsis without requiring additional radiation
exposure to the patient.
Correct Answer: B
,Q2. An automatic pressure injector is programmed to deliver 100 mL of contrast at a rate of 5 mL/sec
with a pressure limit of 300 psi. During the injection, the pressure alarm sounds at 280 psi and the flow
rate decreases. The most likely cause is:
A. The injector is malfunctioning and needs replacement
B. The catheter is partially occluded or the contrast viscosity is too high for the selected flow rate
[CORRECT]
C. The pressure limit is set too high
D. The contrast volume is insufficient for the procedure
This choice is correct because pressure injectors monitor resistance during injection, and when the
actual pressure approaches the set limit, the injector reduces flow to prevent catheter rupture or vessel
injury; increased resistance typically indicates catheter kinking, thrombus, or highly viscous contrast at
room temperature. This follows standard practice for vascular-interventional procedures where
understanding injector mechanics and troubleshooting pressure alarms is essential for patient safety
and image quality.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. A physician requests a 0.035-inch hydrophilic guidewire with a J-tip for a femoral artery access. The
J-tip configuration is selected primarily to:
A. Increase wire stiffness for better torque control
B. Reduce the risk of vessel perforation or dissection by providing an atraumatic leading edge [CORRECT]
C. Improve radiopacity under fluoroscopy
D. Allow easier passage through chronic total occlusions
The best answer is B. The J-tip design provides a curved, atraumatic leading edge that deflects off vessel
walls and reduces the risk of subintimal dissection or perforation, particularly when navigating tortuous
or diseased vessels during access and catheter exchanges. This follows standard practice for vascular-
interventional procedures where wire selection significantly impacts procedural safety, and J-tips are
preferred for initial access and navigation in most arterial systems.
Correct Answer: B
Q4. A patient undergoing an iliac artery angioplasty requires a vascular closure device at the conclusion
of the procedure. Which device works by delivering a bioabsorbable anchor and collagen plug to the
arteriotomy site?
, A. Manual compression
B. Angio-Seal [CORRECT]
C. Perclose ProGlide
D. FemoStop compression device
This choice is correct because the Angio-Seal closure system uses an intraluminal anchor and an
extravascular collagen plug that sandwich the arteriotomy site, promoting hemostasis while allowing
early ambulation; the components are bioabsorbable and do not require removal. This aligns with ARRT
standards for understanding closure device mechanisms, and while all listed options achieve hemostasis,
only the Angio-Seal uses the anchor-and-plug design described.
Correct Answer: B
Q5. During a TIPS procedure, the interventionalist requests a stent graft designed to create a shunt
between the portal and hepatic veins. The stent graft used for TIPS is specifically designed to:
A. Occlude the vessel completely
B. Maintain patency while withstanding the low-pressure venous environment [CORRECT]
C. Filter emboli from the portal circulation
D. Deliver chemotherapy directly to liver tumors
The best answer is B. TIPS stent grafts are self-expanding metallic devices with a covered design that
maintains shunt patency between the portal and hepatic venous systems, reducing portal pressure
while withstanding the unique hemodynamic environment of the venous circulation. This follows
standard practice for TIPS procedures where stent graft selection and deployment are critical to
procedural success, and understanding device specifications ensures appropriate inventory
management and procedural preparation.
Correct Answer: B
Q6. A removable inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is placed in a patient with temporary contraindication to
anticoagulation. Which feature distinguishes a removable filter from a permanent filter?
A. Removable filters are made of non-radiopaque materials
B. Removable filters have a retrieval hook or cone designed for endovascular snare capture [CORRECT]
C. Removable filters are significantly larger in diameter
D. Removable filters do not require fluoroscopy for placement
This choice is correct because removable IVC filters incorporate a retrieval hook or cone at the cranial
end that allows endovascular capture with a snare and sheath for filter removal once the risk of
pulmonary embolism has resolved, whereas permanent filters lack this feature and become
ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | ARRT VI
Certification | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Content Area Overview
This actual examination reflects the comprehensive clinical and technical knowledge required for
success on the ARRT Vascular-Interventional Radiography (VI) certification examination. The exam is
designed to evaluate the candidate's understanding of vascular anatomy, interventional procedures,
patient care, radiation safety, and equipment operation. Questions are structured to assess recall of
fundamental concepts, application of clinical reasoning to procedural scenarios, and analysis of complex
patient presentations. This authentic question bank represents the style and content of actual ARRT VI
exams and serves as a comprehensive resource for candidates demonstrating readiness for the official
160+50-question ARRT examination.
SECTION I: Equipment and Instrumentation (8 Questions)
Q1. During a digital subtraction angiography (DSA) procedure, the technologist notes that the
subtracted image shows significant motion artifact. Which post-processing technique is most
appropriate to reduce this artifact?
A. Increasing the kilovoltage peak (kVp)
B. Pixel shifting or remasking [CORRECT]
C. Increasing the milliampere-seconds (mAs)
D. Decreasing the frame rate
The best answer is B. Pixel shifting or remasking allows the technologist to realign the mask image with
the contrast-filled image to compensate for patient motion, which is a common cause of subtraction
artifacts in DSA. This aligns with digital imaging principles that post-processing tools are designed to
salvage images affected by motion, breathing, or peristalsis without requiring additional radiation
exposure to the patient.
Correct Answer: B
,Q2. An automatic pressure injector is programmed to deliver 100 mL of contrast at a rate of 5 mL/sec
with a pressure limit of 300 psi. During the injection, the pressure alarm sounds at 280 psi and the flow
rate decreases. The most likely cause is:
A. The injector is malfunctioning and needs replacement
B. The catheter is partially occluded or the contrast viscosity is too high for the selected flow rate
[CORRECT]
C. The pressure limit is set too high
D. The contrast volume is insufficient for the procedure
This choice is correct because pressure injectors monitor resistance during injection, and when the
actual pressure approaches the set limit, the injector reduces flow to prevent catheter rupture or vessel
injury; increased resistance typically indicates catheter kinking, thrombus, or highly viscous contrast at
room temperature. This follows standard practice for vascular-interventional procedures where
understanding injector mechanics and troubleshooting pressure alarms is essential for patient safety
and image quality.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. A physician requests a 0.035-inch hydrophilic guidewire with a J-tip for a femoral artery access. The
J-tip configuration is selected primarily to:
A. Increase wire stiffness for better torque control
B. Reduce the risk of vessel perforation or dissection by providing an atraumatic leading edge [CORRECT]
C. Improve radiopacity under fluoroscopy
D. Allow easier passage through chronic total occlusions
The best answer is B. The J-tip design provides a curved, atraumatic leading edge that deflects off vessel
walls and reduces the risk of subintimal dissection or perforation, particularly when navigating tortuous
or diseased vessels during access and catheter exchanges. This follows standard practice for vascular-
interventional procedures where wire selection significantly impacts procedural safety, and J-tips are
preferred for initial access and navigation in most arterial systems.
Correct Answer: B
Q4. A patient undergoing an iliac artery angioplasty requires a vascular closure device at the conclusion
of the procedure. Which device works by delivering a bioabsorbable anchor and collagen plug to the
arteriotomy site?
, A. Manual compression
B. Angio-Seal [CORRECT]
C. Perclose ProGlide
D. FemoStop compression device
This choice is correct because the Angio-Seal closure system uses an intraluminal anchor and an
extravascular collagen plug that sandwich the arteriotomy site, promoting hemostasis while allowing
early ambulation; the components are bioabsorbable and do not require removal. This aligns with ARRT
standards for understanding closure device mechanisms, and while all listed options achieve hemostasis,
only the Angio-Seal uses the anchor-and-plug design described.
Correct Answer: B
Q5. During a TIPS procedure, the interventionalist requests a stent graft designed to create a shunt
between the portal and hepatic veins. The stent graft used for TIPS is specifically designed to:
A. Occlude the vessel completely
B. Maintain patency while withstanding the low-pressure venous environment [CORRECT]
C. Filter emboli from the portal circulation
D. Deliver chemotherapy directly to liver tumors
The best answer is B. TIPS stent grafts are self-expanding metallic devices with a covered design that
maintains shunt patency between the portal and hepatic venous systems, reducing portal pressure
while withstanding the unique hemodynamic environment of the venous circulation. This follows
standard practice for TIPS procedures where stent graft selection and deployment are critical to
procedural success, and understanding device specifications ensures appropriate inventory
management and procedural preparation.
Correct Answer: B
Q6. A removable inferior vena cava (IVC) filter is placed in a patient with temporary contraindication to
anticoagulation. Which feature distinguishes a removable filter from a permanent filter?
A. Removable filters are made of non-radiopaque materials
B. Removable filters have a retrieval hook or cone designed for endovascular snare capture [CORRECT]
C. Removable filters are significantly larger in diameter
D. Removable filters do not require fluoroscopy for placement
This choice is correct because removable IVC filters incorporate a retrieval hook or cone at the cranial
end that allows endovascular capture with a snare and sheath for filter removal once the risk of
pulmonary embolism has resolved, whereas permanent filters lack this feature and become
