RADIOLOGY TEST QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS NEW UPDATE
What teeth should be included on a molar and premolar PAX? - Answer- Molar x ray
should include all molars and distal of first premolar. Premolar x ray should include first
molar to distal canine.
Define elongation and foreshortening. How is it recognized on the exposed film? What
causes elongation and foreshortening? - Answer- Elongation- teeth appear excessively
long due to lack of enough vertical angulation.
Foreshortening- teeth appear excessively short due to too much vertical angulation.
At what time during the appointment should the timer and exposure controls be set? -
Answer- Timer and exposure controls should be set before the film is positioned in the
patents mouth.
After exposure of traditional films the x ray mount should be labeled with? - Answer-
The patients name and date the x rays were taken should be on all mounts. The doctor
may also ask that you place their name and the series of film taken.
If you wear gloves containing powder should you wash your hands before handling
processed film? Why? - Answer- Yes because the powder can leave artifacts on the
processed film.
What is the cause of closed contacts on a radiograph? - Answer- Closed contacts are
caused by incorrect horizontal angulation.
Given a patient with a gag reflex what might be done to help in taking the film? -
Answer- Talk patient through ray. Deep breaths through nose, salt on tip of tongue
begin with easy x rays.
The minimum protective wear for exposing a dental radiograph requires. - Answer-
Protective clothing and gloves
Panoramic radiographs require 3 specific components to produce a quality film. What
are they? - Answer- Patients position qualifications of operator and processing
technique
What type of x ray is best used with the phosphor plate imaging? - Answer- Paralleling
, What type of imaging system records images directly onto a computer screen? This
system is considered film less and uses a sensor or phosphor plates to capture the
image breaks it into many electrical pieces called pixels and stores the image in the
computer - Answer- Digital radiography
When capturing an image digitally what is used? - Answer- Sensor or phosphor plate
Define the characteristics of a dental x ray. - Answer- Dental x rays can cause damage
to living cells. Long wavelengths have less ability to penetrate matter.
Define primary, secondary, scatter, and leakage radiation. - Answer- Primary- All
radiation produced directly from the target in an x ray tube. Secondary- X radiation
created when primary beam interacts with matter. Scatter- A form of secondary
radiation that occurs when an x ray beam has been deflected from its path by
interaction with matter. Leakage- The escape of radiation through the protective
shielding of the x ray unit tube head. This radiation is detected at the sides, top, bottom
or back of the tube head. It does not included the useful beam.
What does ALARM mean and why is it important? - Answer- As Low As Reasonably
Achievable. Every method possible should be used to decrease risk exposure.
Explain the differences between chronic, acute, and latent exposure. - Answer- Chronic-
Occurs when small amounts of radiation are absorbed repeatedly over a long period of
time. Acute- occurs when a large does of radiation is absorbed in a short period of time.
Latent- Time between exposure to ionizing radiation and appearance of symptoms.
Explain why patients wear a lead apron and thyroid collar when exposed to dental x
rays? - Answer- To protect the patients vital organs from scatter radiation.
What can we use to monitor radiation exposure in the dental office if concerned of
overexposure? - Answer- Dosimeter ( film badge)
Dental x ray equipment is monitored on a regular basis. What would be the concerns to
monitor the x ray unit? - Answer- Yearly. To check for leakage
What distance is considered safe from the primary beam when x ray is being exposed?
- Answer- 6 feet
Explain why the person taking the x ray would avoid offering to hold the x ray in place? -
Answer- It increases your risk of radiation exposure
Name the three consistent parts to a dental x ray unit. - Answer- Tube head, extension
arm and control panel
Name the materials the filter and collimator are made from. - Answer- Filter= aluminum
collimator= lead
ANSWERS NEW UPDATE
What teeth should be included on a molar and premolar PAX? - Answer- Molar x ray
should include all molars and distal of first premolar. Premolar x ray should include first
molar to distal canine.
Define elongation and foreshortening. How is it recognized on the exposed film? What
causes elongation and foreshortening? - Answer- Elongation- teeth appear excessively
long due to lack of enough vertical angulation.
Foreshortening- teeth appear excessively short due to too much vertical angulation.
At what time during the appointment should the timer and exposure controls be set? -
Answer- Timer and exposure controls should be set before the film is positioned in the
patents mouth.
After exposure of traditional films the x ray mount should be labeled with? - Answer-
The patients name and date the x rays were taken should be on all mounts. The doctor
may also ask that you place their name and the series of film taken.
If you wear gloves containing powder should you wash your hands before handling
processed film? Why? - Answer- Yes because the powder can leave artifacts on the
processed film.
What is the cause of closed contacts on a radiograph? - Answer- Closed contacts are
caused by incorrect horizontal angulation.
Given a patient with a gag reflex what might be done to help in taking the film? -
Answer- Talk patient through ray. Deep breaths through nose, salt on tip of tongue
begin with easy x rays.
The minimum protective wear for exposing a dental radiograph requires. - Answer-
Protective clothing and gloves
Panoramic radiographs require 3 specific components to produce a quality film. What
are they? - Answer- Patients position qualifications of operator and processing
technique
What type of x ray is best used with the phosphor plate imaging? - Answer- Paralleling
, What type of imaging system records images directly onto a computer screen? This
system is considered film less and uses a sensor or phosphor plates to capture the
image breaks it into many electrical pieces called pixels and stores the image in the
computer - Answer- Digital radiography
When capturing an image digitally what is used? - Answer- Sensor or phosphor plate
Define the characteristics of a dental x ray. - Answer- Dental x rays can cause damage
to living cells. Long wavelengths have less ability to penetrate matter.
Define primary, secondary, scatter, and leakage radiation. - Answer- Primary- All
radiation produced directly from the target in an x ray tube. Secondary- X radiation
created when primary beam interacts with matter. Scatter- A form of secondary
radiation that occurs when an x ray beam has been deflected from its path by
interaction with matter. Leakage- The escape of radiation through the protective
shielding of the x ray unit tube head. This radiation is detected at the sides, top, bottom
or back of the tube head. It does not included the useful beam.
What does ALARM mean and why is it important? - Answer- As Low As Reasonably
Achievable. Every method possible should be used to decrease risk exposure.
Explain the differences between chronic, acute, and latent exposure. - Answer- Chronic-
Occurs when small amounts of radiation are absorbed repeatedly over a long period of
time. Acute- occurs when a large does of radiation is absorbed in a short period of time.
Latent- Time between exposure to ionizing radiation and appearance of symptoms.
Explain why patients wear a lead apron and thyroid collar when exposed to dental x
rays? - Answer- To protect the patients vital organs from scatter radiation.
What can we use to monitor radiation exposure in the dental office if concerned of
overexposure? - Answer- Dosimeter ( film badge)
Dental x ray equipment is monitored on a regular basis. What would be the concerns to
monitor the x ray unit? - Answer- Yearly. To check for leakage
What distance is considered safe from the primary beam when x ray is being exposed?
- Answer- 6 feet
Explain why the person taking the x ray would avoid offering to hold the x ray in place? -
Answer- It increases your risk of radiation exposure
Name the three consistent parts to a dental x ray unit. - Answer- Tube head, extension
arm and control panel
Name the materials the filter and collimator are made from. - Answer- Filter= aluminum
collimator= lead
