LRA 223 FINAL PAPER 2025/2026 QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
✔✔Which projection best demonstrates the first two thoracic vertebrae? - ✔✔Lateral
cervicothoracic
✔✔Which breathing instructions should be given for a lateral projection of the thoracic
spine? - ✔✔Breathe normally
✔✔How can the radiographer reduce distortion of the vertebral bodies during an
anteroposterior (AP) projection of the lumbar spine? - ✔✔Have patient flex knees
✔✔What is demonstrated on an anteroposterior (AP) projection of the lumbar spine? -
✔✔Lumbar vertebrae and transverse processes
✔✔Which projection of the thoracic spine best demonstrates compression fractures of
the vertebrae? - ✔✔Lateral
✔✔Which projection should use the anode heel effect principle? - ✔✔Anteroposterior
(AP)
✔✔On average, how many bones are present in an adult vertebral column? - ✔✔26
✔✔What are characteristics of the atlas? Select all that apply. - ✔✔It has a very short
spinous process.
It is a ring-like structure with no body.
✔✔When asked to demonstrate the zygapophyseal joints of the cervical spine, which
projection is most appropriate? - ✔✔Lateral
✔✔How should the patient's head extension and flexion be adjusted for proper
demonstration of the dens on an anteroposterior (AP) open mouth cervical
examination? - ✔✔An imaginary line from the lower edge of the upper incisors to the tip
of the mastoid process should be perpendicular to the image receptor.
✔✔Which projections demonstrate normal anterior/posterior movement of the cervical
spine? - ✔✔Flexion/Extension laterals
✔✔Why is a lateral projection of the cervical spine typically done at a 72-inch source-to-
image-receptor distance (SID) when an anteroposterior (AP) projection of the cervical
spine is usually done at a 44-inch source-to-image-receptor distance? - ✔✔Decrease
magnification
, ✔✔Which range of degrees of rotation may be required to demonstrate the
zygapophyseal lines of L5/S1? - ✔✔45-60
✔✔Which term refers to freely movable joints? - ✔✔Diarthrodial
✔✔An image of the cervical spine demonstrates the intervertebral foramina farthest
from the image receptor. Which projection is described? - ✔✔45-degree posterior
oblique
✔✔Which maneuver ensures the femoral neck will be demonstrated without
foreshortening during an anteroposterior (AP) projection of the hip? - ✔✔The patient's
leg should be internally rotated 15 to 20 degrees.
✔✔What is true regarding the vertebral column? Select all that apply. - ✔✔A slight
lateral curvature is sometimes present in the upper thoracic region.
An abnormal increase in the anterior concavity of the thoracic curve is known as
kyphosis.
✔✔The radiograph of a patients vertebral column shows a fracture of the second
anterior cervical (C2) arch, with anterior subluxation of C2 on C3. Which is the most
likely diagnosis? - ✔✔Hangman's fracture
✔✔What pathological conditions can be demonstrated while performing an
anteroposterior (AP) wagging jaw projection of the cervical spine? Select all that apply. -
✔✔Pathology involving the dens
Pathology involving the entire cervical column
Pathology involving the surrounding bony structures of the cervical vertebra C1 ring
✔✔What is the position of the patient in the radiograph representing cervical dislocation
in a patient who suffered a severe traumatic blow? - ✔✔Dorsal decubitus position
✔✔When using contrast media for myelography, what precautions should be taken by
the radiologic technologist? Select all that apply. - ✔✔Check the contrast vial with the
physician
Check the contrast vial at least three times
Ensure the vial contains nonionic contrast media
✔✔Why is acute extension of the head important during myelography? - ✔✔To prevent
contrast medium from entering the cerebral ventricles
✔✔Why does the radiologic technologist expose the C7-T1 interspace during a cervical
examination of a traumatic patient for a considerably longer time than usual? - ✔✔To
blur overlying lung structures
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
✔✔Which projection best demonstrates the first two thoracic vertebrae? - ✔✔Lateral
cervicothoracic
✔✔Which breathing instructions should be given for a lateral projection of the thoracic
spine? - ✔✔Breathe normally
✔✔How can the radiographer reduce distortion of the vertebral bodies during an
anteroposterior (AP) projection of the lumbar spine? - ✔✔Have patient flex knees
✔✔What is demonstrated on an anteroposterior (AP) projection of the lumbar spine? -
✔✔Lumbar vertebrae and transverse processes
✔✔Which projection of the thoracic spine best demonstrates compression fractures of
the vertebrae? - ✔✔Lateral
✔✔Which projection should use the anode heel effect principle? - ✔✔Anteroposterior
(AP)
✔✔On average, how many bones are present in an adult vertebral column? - ✔✔26
✔✔What are characteristics of the atlas? Select all that apply. - ✔✔It has a very short
spinous process.
It is a ring-like structure with no body.
✔✔When asked to demonstrate the zygapophyseal joints of the cervical spine, which
projection is most appropriate? - ✔✔Lateral
✔✔How should the patient's head extension and flexion be adjusted for proper
demonstration of the dens on an anteroposterior (AP) open mouth cervical
examination? - ✔✔An imaginary line from the lower edge of the upper incisors to the tip
of the mastoid process should be perpendicular to the image receptor.
✔✔Which projections demonstrate normal anterior/posterior movement of the cervical
spine? - ✔✔Flexion/Extension laterals
✔✔Why is a lateral projection of the cervical spine typically done at a 72-inch source-to-
image-receptor distance (SID) when an anteroposterior (AP) projection of the cervical
spine is usually done at a 44-inch source-to-image-receptor distance? - ✔✔Decrease
magnification
, ✔✔Which range of degrees of rotation may be required to demonstrate the
zygapophyseal lines of L5/S1? - ✔✔45-60
✔✔Which term refers to freely movable joints? - ✔✔Diarthrodial
✔✔An image of the cervical spine demonstrates the intervertebral foramina farthest
from the image receptor. Which projection is described? - ✔✔45-degree posterior
oblique
✔✔Which maneuver ensures the femoral neck will be demonstrated without
foreshortening during an anteroposterior (AP) projection of the hip? - ✔✔The patient's
leg should be internally rotated 15 to 20 degrees.
✔✔What is true regarding the vertebral column? Select all that apply. - ✔✔A slight
lateral curvature is sometimes present in the upper thoracic region.
An abnormal increase in the anterior concavity of the thoracic curve is known as
kyphosis.
✔✔The radiograph of a patients vertebral column shows a fracture of the second
anterior cervical (C2) arch, with anterior subluxation of C2 on C3. Which is the most
likely diagnosis? - ✔✔Hangman's fracture
✔✔What pathological conditions can be demonstrated while performing an
anteroposterior (AP) wagging jaw projection of the cervical spine? Select all that apply. -
✔✔Pathology involving the dens
Pathology involving the entire cervical column
Pathology involving the surrounding bony structures of the cervical vertebra C1 ring
✔✔What is the position of the patient in the radiograph representing cervical dislocation
in a patient who suffered a severe traumatic blow? - ✔✔Dorsal decubitus position
✔✔When using contrast media for myelography, what precautions should be taken by
the radiologic technologist? Select all that apply. - ✔✔Check the contrast vial with the
physician
Check the contrast vial at least three times
Ensure the vial contains nonionic contrast media
✔✔Why is acute extension of the head important during myelography? - ✔✔To prevent
contrast medium from entering the cerebral ventricles
✔✔Why does the radiologic technologist expose the C7-T1 interspace during a cervical
examination of a traumatic patient for a considerably longer time than usual? - ✔✔To
blur overlying lung structures
