MEAGHAN PIRETTI STUDY GUIDE RADIOGRAPHIC
POSITIONING & PROCEDURES COMPLETE
CERTIFICATION PRACTICE EXAM 120 Multiple Choice
Questions with Answers and Rationales
EXAM OVERVIEW
Core Domains Covered:
• Upper Extremity Positioning (Hand, Wrist, Forearm, Elbow, Humerus,
Shoulder)
• Lower Extremity Positioning (Foot, Ankle, Knee, Hip, Pelvis)
• Chest, Abdomen & Thoracic Positioning
• Spine & Pelvis (Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacrum/Coccyx)
• Cranium & Facial Bones
• Contrast Studies & Special Procedures
• Positioning Terminology & Projections
• Anatomy & Pathology Recognition
• Image Evaluation & Quality Control
• Radiation Safety & Protection
• Patient Care & Communication
• Positioning Landmarks & Surface Anatomy
DOMAIN 1: UPPER EXTREMITY - HAND & WRIST (Questions 1-25)
1. During a PA hand projection, what is the position of the thumb?
• A) Extended straight
• B) Flexed inward
, • C) Oblique
• D) Posterior
Rationale: In a PA hand projection, the thumb is placed in an oblique position
to demonstrate it without superimposition.
2. Where are the sesamoid bones located in the hand?
• A) Lateral aspect of the 5th metacarpal
• B) Anterior (palmar) side of the 1st metacarpal (thumb)
• C) Dorsal side of the 2nd metacarpal
• D) Between each phalanx
Rationale: The sesamoid bones are found on the anterior (palmar) surface of
the first metacarpal head (thumb).
3. How many phalanges and joints does the thumb have?
• A) Three phalanges, two joints
• B) Two phalanges, one joint
• C) Two phalanges, two joints
• D) Three phalanges, three joints
Rationale: The thumb has two phalanges (proximal and distal) and two joints
(MCP and IP), unlike fingers which have three phalanges.
4. List the carpal bones in the proximal row (lateral to medial).
• A) Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate
• B) Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform
• C) Scaphoid, Capitate, Hamate, Pisiform
• D) Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Hamate
,Rationale: The proximal row of carpal bones consists of the scaphoid, lunate,
triquetrum, and pisiform.
5. List the carpal bones in the distal row (lateral to medial).
• A) Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform
• B) Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate
• C) Capitate, Hamate, Pisiform, Triquetrum
• D) Trapezium, Trapezoid, Pisiform, Hamate
Rationale: The distal row of carpal bones consists of the trapezium,
trapezoid, capitate, and hamate.
6. What is the Gaynor-Hart Method used for?
• A) Scaphoid visualization
• B) Carpal tunnel
• C) Wrist joint spaces
• D) Thumb fractures
Rationale: The Gaynor-Hart method is a projection used to demonstrate the
carpal tunnel and its contents.
7. Is the hand supinated or pronated when in anatomical position?
• A) Pronated
• B) Supinated
• C) Neutral
• D) Laterally rotated
Rationale: The anatomical position of the hand is supinated (palms facing
forward/anterior).
, 8. What is the recommended SID for hand and wrist radiography?
• A) 40 inches (100 cm)
• B) 40 inches (102 cm)
• C) 72 inches (183 cm)
• D) 56 inches (142 cm)
Rationale: The standard SID for hand and wrist radiography is 40 inches (102
cm).
9. Which carpal bone is most commonly fractured?
• A) Lunate
• B) Scaphoid
• C) Triquetrum
• D) Pisiform
Rationale: The scaphoid is the most commonly fractured carpal bone,
typically from a fall on an outstretched hand (FOOSH).
10. In a PA wrist projection, the ulnar styloid is visualized:
• A) On the lateral side
• B) On the medial side
• C) Centrally
• D) Not visualized
Rationale: In a PA wrist projection, the ulnar styloid is visualized on the
medial side of the wrist.
11. A "Stecher Method" is used to demonstrate the:
POSITIONING & PROCEDURES COMPLETE
CERTIFICATION PRACTICE EXAM 120 Multiple Choice
Questions with Answers and Rationales
EXAM OVERVIEW
Core Domains Covered:
• Upper Extremity Positioning (Hand, Wrist, Forearm, Elbow, Humerus,
Shoulder)
• Lower Extremity Positioning (Foot, Ankle, Knee, Hip, Pelvis)
• Chest, Abdomen & Thoracic Positioning
• Spine & Pelvis (Cervical, Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacrum/Coccyx)
• Cranium & Facial Bones
• Contrast Studies & Special Procedures
• Positioning Terminology & Projections
• Anatomy & Pathology Recognition
• Image Evaluation & Quality Control
• Radiation Safety & Protection
• Patient Care & Communication
• Positioning Landmarks & Surface Anatomy
DOMAIN 1: UPPER EXTREMITY - HAND & WRIST (Questions 1-25)
1. During a PA hand projection, what is the position of the thumb?
• A) Extended straight
• B) Flexed inward
, • C) Oblique
• D) Posterior
Rationale: In a PA hand projection, the thumb is placed in an oblique position
to demonstrate it without superimposition.
2. Where are the sesamoid bones located in the hand?
• A) Lateral aspect of the 5th metacarpal
• B) Anterior (palmar) side of the 1st metacarpal (thumb)
• C) Dorsal side of the 2nd metacarpal
• D) Between each phalanx
Rationale: The sesamoid bones are found on the anterior (palmar) surface of
the first metacarpal head (thumb).
3. How many phalanges and joints does the thumb have?
• A) Three phalanges, two joints
• B) Two phalanges, one joint
• C) Two phalanges, two joints
• D) Three phalanges, three joints
Rationale: The thumb has two phalanges (proximal and distal) and two joints
(MCP and IP), unlike fingers which have three phalanges.
4. List the carpal bones in the proximal row (lateral to medial).
• A) Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate
• B) Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform
• C) Scaphoid, Capitate, Hamate, Pisiform
• D) Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform, Hamate
,Rationale: The proximal row of carpal bones consists of the scaphoid, lunate,
triquetrum, and pisiform.
5. List the carpal bones in the distal row (lateral to medial).
• A) Scaphoid, Lunate, Triquetrum, Pisiform
• B) Trapezium, Trapezoid, Capitate, Hamate
• C) Capitate, Hamate, Pisiform, Triquetrum
• D) Trapezium, Trapezoid, Pisiform, Hamate
Rationale: The distal row of carpal bones consists of the trapezium,
trapezoid, capitate, and hamate.
6. What is the Gaynor-Hart Method used for?
• A) Scaphoid visualization
• B) Carpal tunnel
• C) Wrist joint spaces
• D) Thumb fractures
Rationale: The Gaynor-Hart method is a projection used to demonstrate the
carpal tunnel and its contents.
7. Is the hand supinated or pronated when in anatomical position?
• A) Pronated
• B) Supinated
• C) Neutral
• D) Laterally rotated
Rationale: The anatomical position of the hand is supinated (palms facing
forward/anterior).
, 8. What is the recommended SID for hand and wrist radiography?
• A) 40 inches (100 cm)
• B) 40 inches (102 cm)
• C) 72 inches (183 cm)
• D) 56 inches (142 cm)
Rationale: The standard SID for hand and wrist radiography is 40 inches (102
cm).
9. Which carpal bone is most commonly fractured?
• A) Lunate
• B) Scaphoid
• C) Triquetrum
• D) Pisiform
Rationale: The scaphoid is the most commonly fractured carpal bone,
typically from a fall on an outstretched hand (FOOSH).
10. In a PA wrist projection, the ulnar styloid is visualized:
• A) On the lateral side
• B) On the medial side
• C) Centrally
• D) Not visualized
Rationale: In a PA wrist projection, the ulnar styloid is visualized on the
medial side of the wrist.
11. A "Stecher Method" is used to demonstrate the:
