NBCE PART 3 ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 | 2 VERSIONS
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & REAL IMAGES | RADIOLOGY &
CLINICAL CASES | GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED PASS
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the NBCE Exam Part 3 | Actual Exam Questions with Verified Answers
and Actual Images complete study resource. This guide provides actual exam
questions from two different exam versions, featuring real radiographic images
and clinical case scenarios exactly as they appear on the National Board of
Chiropractic Examiners Part 3 examination. Correct answer in Bold.
Question 1
A 45-year-old immigrant presents with a 3-week history of productive cough,
night sweats, and a 10-pound weight loss. Chest X-ray reveals apical infiltrates
with cavitation. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Bacterial pneumonia
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Tuberculosis
D) Lung carcinoma
*Explanation: The combination of apical infiltrates with cavitation, night
sweats, weight loss, and immigrant status is classic for tuberculosis (TB).
TB typically affects the upper lobes and produces cavitary lesions. Bacterial
pneumonia usually presents with more acute symptoms and lower lobe
involvement. *
,Question 2
A patient with suspected tuberculosis has a chest X-ray showing multiple tiny,
diffuse nodular densities throughout both lung fields. Which radiographic pattern
is this?
A) Miliary pattern
B) Cavitary pattern
C) Silhouette sign
D) Air bronchogram
*Explanation: Miliary TB presents as diffuse, tiny (1-3 mm) nodular densities
scattered throughout both lung fields, resembling millet seeds. This pattern
indicates hematogenous dissemination of TB. *
Question 3
Which radiographic finding is characterized by air-filled bronchi visible against a
background of opaque, consolidated lung tissue?
A) Air bronchogram sign
B) Meniscus sign
C) Silhouette sign
D) Linear shadow
*Explanation: The air bronchogram sign occurs when air-filled bronchi are
visible against consolidated lung tissue (fluid or pus-filled alveoli). This
finding is classic for pneumonia, TB, or other causes of consolidation. *
,Question 4
A patient's chest X-ray shows loss of the normal border between the heart
silhouette and the adjacent lung field. Which sign is this?
A) Air bronchogram
B) Silhouette sign
C) Meniscus sign
D) Linear shadow
*Explanation: The silhouette sign occurs when a pathologic process
(consolidation, mass, or effusion) in the lung abuts a normal structure
(heart, aorta, diaphragm) and obliterates the normal radiographic border
between them. *
Question 5
A 38-year-old patient with active TB presents with a chest X-ray showing a
curved, arched line at the upper border of a pleural fluid collection. Which sign is
this?
A) Air bronchogram
B) Silhouette sign
C) Meniscus sign
D) Linear shadow
*Explanation: The meniscus sign appears as a curved or arched line at the
upper border of a pleural effusion. It results from the interface between the
fluid and the air-filled lung. *
, Question 6
Which of the following radiographic findings is most characteristic of reactivation
tuberculosis?
A) Lower lobe consolidation
B) Upper lobe cavitary lesions
C) Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy
D) Pleural effusion
*Explanation: Reactivation TB typically affects the apical and posterior
segments of the upper lobes, producing cavitary lesions. Lower lobe
involvement is more common in primary TB. *
Question 7
A patient presents with stony dullness on percussion at the right lung base,
dyspnea, and hemoptysis. Which radiological finding would support the diagnosis?
A) Widened superior mediastinum
B) Obliteration of the right costophrenic angle
C) Large retrosternal window
D) Cardiomegaly
*Explanation: Obliteration of the costophrenic angle indicates pleural
effusion or consolidation at the lung base. This finding correlates with stony
dullness on percussion and suggests pathology such as TB, pneumonia, or
malignancy. *
WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS & REAL IMAGES | RADIOLOGY &
CLINICAL CASES | GRADED A+ | GUARANTEED PASS
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the NBCE Exam Part 3 | Actual Exam Questions with Verified Answers
and Actual Images complete study resource. This guide provides actual exam
questions from two different exam versions, featuring real radiographic images
and clinical case scenarios exactly as they appear on the National Board of
Chiropractic Examiners Part 3 examination. Correct answer in Bold.
Question 1
A 45-year-old immigrant presents with a 3-week history of productive cough,
night sweats, and a 10-pound weight loss. Chest X-ray reveals apical infiltrates
with cavitation. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Bacterial pneumonia
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Tuberculosis
D) Lung carcinoma
*Explanation: The combination of apical infiltrates with cavitation, night
sweats, weight loss, and immigrant status is classic for tuberculosis (TB).
TB typically affects the upper lobes and produces cavitary lesions. Bacterial
pneumonia usually presents with more acute symptoms and lower lobe
involvement. *
,Question 2
A patient with suspected tuberculosis has a chest X-ray showing multiple tiny,
diffuse nodular densities throughout both lung fields. Which radiographic pattern
is this?
A) Miliary pattern
B) Cavitary pattern
C) Silhouette sign
D) Air bronchogram
*Explanation: Miliary TB presents as diffuse, tiny (1-3 mm) nodular densities
scattered throughout both lung fields, resembling millet seeds. This pattern
indicates hematogenous dissemination of TB. *
Question 3
Which radiographic finding is characterized by air-filled bronchi visible against a
background of opaque, consolidated lung tissue?
A) Air bronchogram sign
B) Meniscus sign
C) Silhouette sign
D) Linear shadow
*Explanation: The air bronchogram sign occurs when air-filled bronchi are
visible against consolidated lung tissue (fluid or pus-filled alveoli). This
finding is classic for pneumonia, TB, or other causes of consolidation. *
,Question 4
A patient's chest X-ray shows loss of the normal border between the heart
silhouette and the adjacent lung field. Which sign is this?
A) Air bronchogram
B) Silhouette sign
C) Meniscus sign
D) Linear shadow
*Explanation: The silhouette sign occurs when a pathologic process
(consolidation, mass, or effusion) in the lung abuts a normal structure
(heart, aorta, diaphragm) and obliterates the normal radiographic border
between them. *
Question 5
A 38-year-old patient with active TB presents with a chest X-ray showing a
curved, arched line at the upper border of a pleural fluid collection. Which sign is
this?
A) Air bronchogram
B) Silhouette sign
C) Meniscus sign
D) Linear shadow
*Explanation: The meniscus sign appears as a curved or arched line at the
upper border of a pleural effusion. It results from the interface between the
fluid and the air-filled lung. *
, Question 6
Which of the following radiographic findings is most characteristic of reactivation
tuberculosis?
A) Lower lobe consolidation
B) Upper lobe cavitary lesions
C) Bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy
D) Pleural effusion
*Explanation: Reactivation TB typically affects the apical and posterior
segments of the upper lobes, producing cavitary lesions. Lower lobe
involvement is more common in primary TB. *
Question 7
A patient presents with stony dullness on percussion at the right lung base,
dyspnea, and hemoptysis. Which radiological finding would support the diagnosis?
A) Widened superior mediastinum
B) Obliteration of the right costophrenic angle
C) Large retrosternal window
D) Cardiomegaly
*Explanation: Obliteration of the costophrenic angle indicates pleural
effusion or consolidation at the lung base. This finding correlates with stony
dullness on percussion and suggests pathology such as TB, pneumonia, or
malignancy. *
