RADIOGRAPHIC POSITIONING AND
RELATED ANATOMY
11TH EDITION
• Author(S)John P. Lampignano
TEST BANK
1.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles —
Positioning Terminology
Question Stem
A supine trauma patient with suspected pelvic fracture must be
imaged. Which term best describes a patient lying on the back
with the central ray directed vertically from anterior to
posterior?
Options
A. AP projection
B. PA projection
,C. Lateral projection
D. Oblique projection
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct: AP projection — AP denotes the central ray enters the
anterior surface and exits the posterior surface while the
patient lies supine; this matches the described orientation.
B Incorrect: PA projection would have the CR enter posteriorly
and exit anteriorly, not matching a supine patient with CR
anterior-to-posterior.
C Incorrect: Lateral projection indicates a side-to-side CR path,
not anterior-to-posterior in supine.
D Incorrect: Oblique projection implies an angled rotation about
the long axis, not a straight anterior-to-posterior CR in supine.
Teaching Point
AP indicates CR enters the anterior surface and exits the
posterior surface.
Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
2.
,Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles —
Positioning Principles
Question Stem
During a lateral chest radiograph the technologist notices the
patient’s shoulders are not vertically aligned and the clavicles
appear asymmetric. What positioning error most likely caused
this and what is the expected effect on image interpretation?
Options
A. Rotation; makes the mediastinum appear shifted and can
mimic pathology
B. Incorrect SID; increases magnification of the heart only
C. Excessive collimation; causes underexposure of lung apices
D. Improper grid alignment; produces grid cutoff over the
clavicles
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct: Rotation; asymmetry of bony landmarks indicates
rotation, which shifts mediastinal structures and may simulate
or obscure pathology.
B Incorrect: SID changes affect overall magnification but would
not cause asymmetric clavicles or apparent mediastinal shift.
C Incorrect: Collimation affects field size and scatter but not
symmetric clavicle alignment.
D Incorrect: Grid misalignment (grid cutoff) affects exposure
, distribution, not clavicular symmetry caused by patient
rotation.
Teaching Point
Detect and correct rotation; asymmetry of paired landmarks
indicates rotated positioning.
Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
3.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles —
Positioning Terminology
Question Stem
A technologist must demonstrate the zygomatic arches using a
tangential projection. Which description best defines a
tangential projection?
Options
A. CR directed along a line that skims the structure of interest,
showing it in profile
B. CR perpendicular to the plane of the structure producing an
en face image
C. CR angled cephalad for true axial imaging only
D. CR directed through body cavities only
RELATED ANATOMY
11TH EDITION
• Author(S)John P. Lampignano
TEST BANK
1.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles —
Positioning Terminology
Question Stem
A supine trauma patient with suspected pelvic fracture must be
imaged. Which term best describes a patient lying on the back
with the central ray directed vertically from anterior to
posterior?
Options
A. AP projection
B. PA projection
,C. Lateral projection
D. Oblique projection
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct: AP projection — AP denotes the central ray enters the
anterior surface and exits the posterior surface while the
patient lies supine; this matches the described orientation.
B Incorrect: PA projection would have the CR enter posteriorly
and exit anteriorly, not matching a supine patient with CR
anterior-to-posterior.
C Incorrect: Lateral projection indicates a side-to-side CR path,
not anterior-to-posterior in supine.
D Incorrect: Oblique projection implies an angled rotation about
the long axis, not a straight anterior-to-posterior CR in supine.
Teaching Point
AP indicates CR enters the anterior surface and exits the
posterior surface.
Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
2.
,Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles —
Positioning Principles
Question Stem
During a lateral chest radiograph the technologist notices the
patient’s shoulders are not vertically aligned and the clavicles
appear asymmetric. What positioning error most likely caused
this and what is the expected effect on image interpretation?
Options
A. Rotation; makes the mediastinum appear shifted and can
mimic pathology
B. Incorrect SID; increases magnification of the heart only
C. Excessive collimation; causes underexposure of lung apices
D. Improper grid alignment; produces grid cutoff over the
clavicles
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct: Rotation; asymmetry of bony landmarks indicates
rotation, which shifts mediastinal structures and may simulate
or obscure pathology.
B Incorrect: SID changes affect overall magnification but would
not cause asymmetric clavicles or apparent mediastinal shift.
C Incorrect: Collimation affects field size and scatter but not
symmetric clavicle alignment.
D Incorrect: Grid misalignment (grid cutoff) affects exposure
, distribution, not clavicular symmetry caused by patient
rotation.
Teaching Point
Detect and correct rotation; asymmetry of paired landmarks
indicates rotated positioning.
Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
3.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles —
Positioning Terminology
Question Stem
A technologist must demonstrate the zygomatic arches using a
tangential projection. Which description best defines a
tangential projection?
Options
A. CR directed along a line that skims the structure of interest,
showing it in profile
B. CR perpendicular to the plane of the structure producing an
en face image
C. CR angled cephalad for true axial imaging only
D. CR directed through body cavities only
