ARRT Radiography Examination Master
Study Guide
Comprehensive High-Yield Review: Patient Care, Radiation Safety, Image Production, and
Radiographic Procedures
SECTION 1: PATIENT CARE & LEGAL TERMINOLOGY
(16–17% of Exam)
1. Patient Consent
● Informed Consent Required For: Invasive procedures, contrast media studies, and
surgery or interventional procedures.
● Physician Responsibility: The physician performing the procedure is legally responsible
for explaining the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the patient.
● Technologist Role (Registry Trap): The radiographer witnesses the signing of the
consent form; the radiographer does not explain the procedure risks/benefits to obtain
consent.
● Types of Consent:
○ Written: Formal signed document.
○ Oral: Expressed verbally by patient.
○ Implied: Inferred by patient action or emergency situation (unconscious patient
requiring emergency care).
2. HIPAA & Patient Rights
● HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): Protects Protected
Health Information (PHI) across verbal, written, and electronic media.
○ Violations: Discussing patient info in elevators/hallways, leaving patient charts
open, sharing computer passwords.
● Patient Rights: Privacy, right to refuse treatment, review medical records, make informed
decisions, participate in research, and establish DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders.
, 3. Legal Terminology
Term Definition & Registry Context
Assault Threat of touching or causing bodily harm
(causing reasonable apprehension).
Battery Unlawful or unconsented physical touching
of a patient (e.g., performing exam without
consent).
Negligence Failure to exercise standard care that a
reasonably prudent person would exercise.
Malpractice Professional negligence by a healthcare
worker that results in injury or harm.
False Imprisonment Unlawful restraint or confinement of a patient
against their will.
Respondeat Superior "Let the master answer" – The employer is
held responsible for employee actions.
Res Ipsa Loquitur "The thing speaks for itself" – Negligence is
obvious (e.g., surgical instrument left in
body).
4. Infection Control & Precautions
● Chain of Infection: Pathogen → Reservoir → Portal of Exit → Transmission → Portal of
Entry → Susceptible Host.
● Asepsis:
○ Medical Asepsis: Clean technique (reduces number of organisms). Hand hygiene
is the single most effective method.
Study Guide
Comprehensive High-Yield Review: Patient Care, Radiation Safety, Image Production, and
Radiographic Procedures
SECTION 1: PATIENT CARE & LEGAL TERMINOLOGY
(16–17% of Exam)
1. Patient Consent
● Informed Consent Required For: Invasive procedures, contrast media studies, and
surgery or interventional procedures.
● Physician Responsibility: The physician performing the procedure is legally responsible
for explaining the risks, benefits, and alternatives to the patient.
● Technologist Role (Registry Trap): The radiographer witnesses the signing of the
consent form; the radiographer does not explain the procedure risks/benefits to obtain
consent.
● Types of Consent:
○ Written: Formal signed document.
○ Oral: Expressed verbally by patient.
○ Implied: Inferred by patient action or emergency situation (unconscious patient
requiring emergency care).
2. HIPAA & Patient Rights
● HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): Protects Protected
Health Information (PHI) across verbal, written, and electronic media.
○ Violations: Discussing patient info in elevators/hallways, leaving patient charts
open, sharing computer passwords.
● Patient Rights: Privacy, right to refuse treatment, review medical records, make informed
decisions, participate in research, and establish DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) orders.
, 3. Legal Terminology
Term Definition & Registry Context
Assault Threat of touching or causing bodily harm
(causing reasonable apprehension).
Battery Unlawful or unconsented physical touching
of a patient (e.g., performing exam without
consent).
Negligence Failure to exercise standard care that a
reasonably prudent person would exercise.
Malpractice Professional negligence by a healthcare
worker that results in injury or harm.
False Imprisonment Unlawful restraint or confinement of a patient
against their will.
Respondeat Superior "Let the master answer" – The employer is
held responsible for employee actions.
Res Ipsa Loquitur "The thing speaks for itself" – Negligence is
obvious (e.g., surgical instrument left in
body).
4. Infection Control & Precautions
● Chain of Infection: Pathogen → Reservoir → Portal of Exit → Transmission → Portal of
Entry → Susceptible Host.
● Asepsis:
○ Medical Asepsis: Clean technique (reduces number of organisms). Hand hygiene
is the single most effective method.
