Rad 101 Exam 1 Questions and Answers
Radiography (Radiographer) - Answer-primarily responsible for applying ionizing radiation. It is to
demonstrate portions of the human body on a radiograph, image receptor (IR- receives image of the
body), fluoroscopic screen or other imaging modalities. Also, to assist the physician in the diagnosis of
disease and injury.
Registered Radiologist Assistant - Answer-It is experienced, registered radiographers who have obtained
additional education and certification that qualifies them to serve as radiologist extenders (take off
some load of the radiologists). It requires certification by ARRT, completed an RA program, and pass the
certifying exam by the ARRT. Their three major areas of responsibility include: lead role in patient
management and assessment, performs selected radiology examinations and procedures under the
supervision of a radiologist, and may be responsible for evaluating image quality, making initial image
observations and forwarding those observations to the supervising radiologist. However, the supervising
radiologist remains responsible for providing a final written report, an interpretation or diagnosis.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - Answer-A newer imaging technology. It provides a cross-sectional,
3-D images using a strong magnetic field and radio waves. The stronger the magnet, the better the
image is. It shows soft tissue better than CT but it takes longer than a CT.
Computed Tomography (CT) - Answer-Ionizing Radiation. Provides a cross-sectional and 3-D images of
the body (can have color). It uses x-rays to produce images.
Mammography (M) - Answer-Radiographic examination of the breast. It uses x-rays to produce images.
, Cardiovascular-Interventional Technology (CV) - Answer-Special procedures/angiography - includes
examinations of the vascular and nervous system. It uses x-rays to produce images.
Bone Densitometry (BD) - Answer-It looks for demineralization of the bones (very common in lumbar
and hip areas). It uses x-rays to measure bone mineral density for the detection of osteoporosis.
Quality Management (QM) - Answer-This area checks the quality of the radiography machines. The
process that monitors and evaluates the quality of the care and services provided to patients within a
health care facility.
Radiation Therapy (T) - Answer-The radiation therapist uses ionizing radiation producing equipment to
administer therapeutic doses of radiation as prescribed by the physician for the treatment of disease
(cancer/tumors)
Nuclear Medicine Technology (N) - Answer-The tech uses radioactive materials (injected into patients)
in specialized studies of body organs for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Radioisotope is
injected into patient and patient emits radiation. It uses gamma radiation, not x-rays. It uses
radionuclides (radioisotopes)- radioactive material that is: injected, ingested, or inhaled. Patient gives off
radiation and the gamma camera detects radiation to display an image.
Isotopes - Answer-elements that have the same # of protons and electrons, but a different # of
neutrons
Diagnostic Medical Sonography - Answer-Often called ultrasound, uses high frequency sound waves to
form an image. Use is not harmful to biological tissue.
Position Emission Tomography (PET) - Answer-It shoes metabolic uptake of glucose. Rapidly dividing
cells have a higher uptake. Malignant cells are rapidly dividing; therefore, because cancer cells are highly
metabolic and use more glucose than neighboring (noncancerous) cells, they are easily demonstrated on
the PET scan. This is one step beyond nuclear medicine and is very expensive. It is usually a follow-up to
chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Radiography (Radiographer) - Answer-primarily responsible for applying ionizing radiation. It is to
demonstrate portions of the human body on a radiograph, image receptor (IR- receives image of the
body), fluoroscopic screen or other imaging modalities. Also, to assist the physician in the diagnosis of
disease and injury.
Registered Radiologist Assistant - Answer-It is experienced, registered radiographers who have obtained
additional education and certification that qualifies them to serve as radiologist extenders (take off
some load of the radiologists). It requires certification by ARRT, completed an RA program, and pass the
certifying exam by the ARRT. Their three major areas of responsibility include: lead role in patient
management and assessment, performs selected radiology examinations and procedures under the
supervision of a radiologist, and may be responsible for evaluating image quality, making initial image
observations and forwarding those observations to the supervising radiologist. However, the supervising
radiologist remains responsible for providing a final written report, an interpretation or diagnosis.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) - Answer-A newer imaging technology. It provides a cross-sectional,
3-D images using a strong magnetic field and radio waves. The stronger the magnet, the better the
image is. It shows soft tissue better than CT but it takes longer than a CT.
Computed Tomography (CT) - Answer-Ionizing Radiation. Provides a cross-sectional and 3-D images of
the body (can have color). It uses x-rays to produce images.
Mammography (M) - Answer-Radiographic examination of the breast. It uses x-rays to produce images.
, Cardiovascular-Interventional Technology (CV) - Answer-Special procedures/angiography - includes
examinations of the vascular and nervous system. It uses x-rays to produce images.
Bone Densitometry (BD) - Answer-It looks for demineralization of the bones (very common in lumbar
and hip areas). It uses x-rays to measure bone mineral density for the detection of osteoporosis.
Quality Management (QM) - Answer-This area checks the quality of the radiography machines. The
process that monitors and evaluates the quality of the care and services provided to patients within a
health care facility.
Radiation Therapy (T) - Answer-The radiation therapist uses ionizing radiation producing equipment to
administer therapeutic doses of radiation as prescribed by the physician for the treatment of disease
(cancer/tumors)
Nuclear Medicine Technology (N) - Answer-The tech uses radioactive materials (injected into patients)
in specialized studies of body organs for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Radioisotope is
injected into patient and patient emits radiation. It uses gamma radiation, not x-rays. It uses
radionuclides (radioisotopes)- radioactive material that is: injected, ingested, or inhaled. Patient gives off
radiation and the gamma camera detects radiation to display an image.
Isotopes - Answer-elements that have the same # of protons and electrons, but a different # of
neutrons
Diagnostic Medical Sonography - Answer-Often called ultrasound, uses high frequency sound waves to
form an image. Use is not harmful to biological tissue.
Position Emission Tomography (PET) - Answer-It shoes metabolic uptake of glucose. Rapidly dividing
cells have a higher uptake. Malignant cells are rapidly dividing; therefore, because cancer cells are highly
metabolic and use more glucose than neighboring (noncancerous) cells, they are easily demonstrated on
the PET scan. This is one step beyond nuclear medicine and is very expensive. It is usually a follow-up to
chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
