ARRT Registry Exam ACTUAL EXAM 2026/2027 |
Complete Exam-Style Questions | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Content Area Overview
This actual examination reflects the comprehensive radiologic technology knowledge required for
success on the ARRT Radiography Registry Exam. The exam is designed to evaluate the student's
understanding of patient care, radiation safety, image production, equipment operation, and
radiographic procedures. Questions are structured to assess recall of fundamental concepts, application
of clinical reasoning to radiographic scenarios, and analysis of complex patient presentations. This
authentic question bank represents the real exams used in the course and serves as a comprehensive
resource for students demonstrating readiness for the ARRT Registry Exam.
SECTION I: Patient Care (8 Questions)
Q1. A patient arrives for an abdominal CT with contrast and informs the technologist that they had a
mild rash after receiving iodinated contrast five years ago. The technologist's most appropriate action is:
A. Cancel the examination immediately
B. Proceed without any special precautions
C. Notify the radiologist and follow institutional premedication protocol [CORRECT]
D. Switch to barium sulfate as the contrast agent
The best answer is C. A history of any prior contrast reaction, even mild, warrants notification of the
radiologist and implementation of the facility's premedication protocol, which typically includes
corticosteroids and antihistamines administered prior to contrast administration. This follows standard
radiographic practice where patient safety is the priority, and proper documentation and
communication ensure that the appropriate precautions are taken without unnecessarily canceling
clinically necessary examinations.
Correct Answer: C
,Q2. A technologist is preparing to perform a portable chest X-ray on a patient in isolation for
tuberculosis. Which personal protective equipment is required?
A. Standard precautions only
B. N95 respirator, gown, gloves, and eye protection [CORRECT]
C. Surgical mask and gloves only
D. No special precautions are needed for radiography
This choice is correct because tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei, requiring airborne
precautions including an N95 respirator or higher-level protection, along with standard precautions of
gown and gloves; eye protection is added when splash risk exists. This aligns with ARRT standards for
infection control and follows CDC guidelines for transmission-based precautions, ensuring both
technologist and patient safety during the examination.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. During a barium enema examination, a patient with a history of ulcerative colitis develops severe
abdominal cramping and begins passing bright red blood per rectum. The technologist's priority action
is:
A. Continue the examination to complete the diagnostic study
B. Stop the procedure immediately and notify the radiologist and physician [CORRECT]
C. Administer additional barium to dilute the blood
D. Reposition the patient and continue with spot films
The best answer is B. Passage of bright red blood during a barium enema in a patient with ulcerative
colitis is a serious complication suggesting possible bowel perforation or severe mucosal injury; the
examination must be stopped immediately, and the radiologist and referring physician must be notified
for further evaluation and management. This follows standard radiographic practice where patient
safety always takes precedence over completing the diagnostic study, and prompt recognition of
complications can be life-saving.
Correct Answer: B
Q4. A patient with a known history of claustrophobia is scheduled for an MRI but arrives in the radiology
department for a routine chest X-ray. The patient becomes extremely anxious and refuses to lie on the
table. The most appropriate technologist response is:
A. Insist the patient complete the examination immediately
B. Use therapeutic communication, assess the patient's concerns, and consider modifications or
sedation consultation [CORRECT]
, C. Document the refusal and send the patient home without further action
D. Have a family member hold the patient down for the exposure
This choice is correct because patient anxiety is a common challenge in radiography, and the
technologist should use therapeutic communication to understand the root cause, offer explanations
and reassurance, consider modifications like upright positioning, and involve nursing or physician
colleagues for sedation if needed. This aligns with ARRT standards for patient interactions and
management, where respecting patient autonomy while working collaboratively to achieve the
diagnostic goal is the standard of care.
Correct Answer: B
Q5. A technologist receives a request for a stat portable chest X-ray on a patient with a suspected
pneumothorax. Upon arrival at the bedside, the patient is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 4 L/min
and has a peripheral IV in the left arm. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Remove the oxygen and IV to avoid artifacts
B. Leave all medical devices in place and include them in the image field if necessary [CORRECT]
C. Move the IV to the right arm before imaging
D. Disconnect the oxygen only for the exposure
The best answer is B. Medical devices should never be removed for radiographic purposes; they are part
of the patient's current clinical status, and their position may be clinically relevant. The technologist
should work around the devices, collimate appropriately, and ensure the diagnostic area of interest is
adequately visualized. This follows standard radiographic practice where patient care takes precedence
over image aesthetics, and removing life-supporting devices could cause patient harm.
Correct Answer: B
Q6. A pediatric patient, age 4, requires a wrist radiograph after a fall. The technologist should:
A. Use adult technique factors without modification
B. Reduce exposure factors, use immobilization devices, and employ communication appropriate to the
child's developmental level [CORRECT]
C. Have the parent leave the room to avoid distraction
D. Use a grid for all pediatric extremity examinations
This choice is correct because pediatric patients require reduced exposure factors due to smaller body
size and increased radiosensitivity, immobilization to prevent motion artifact, and age-appropriate
communication to gain cooperation; parents are typically encouraged to remain in the room for comfort
and safety. This aligns with ARRT standards for patient care across the lifespan and follows the ALARA
Complete Exam-Style Questions | Verified Q&A | Pass
Guaranteed - A+ Graded
Content Area Overview
This actual examination reflects the comprehensive radiologic technology knowledge required for
success on the ARRT Radiography Registry Exam. The exam is designed to evaluate the student's
understanding of patient care, radiation safety, image production, equipment operation, and
radiographic procedures. Questions are structured to assess recall of fundamental concepts, application
of clinical reasoning to radiographic scenarios, and analysis of complex patient presentations. This
authentic question bank represents the real exams used in the course and serves as a comprehensive
resource for students demonstrating readiness for the ARRT Registry Exam.
SECTION I: Patient Care (8 Questions)
Q1. A patient arrives for an abdominal CT with contrast and informs the technologist that they had a
mild rash after receiving iodinated contrast five years ago. The technologist's most appropriate action is:
A. Cancel the examination immediately
B. Proceed without any special precautions
C. Notify the radiologist and follow institutional premedication protocol [CORRECT]
D. Switch to barium sulfate as the contrast agent
The best answer is C. A history of any prior contrast reaction, even mild, warrants notification of the
radiologist and implementation of the facility's premedication protocol, which typically includes
corticosteroids and antihistamines administered prior to contrast administration. This follows standard
radiographic practice where patient safety is the priority, and proper documentation and
communication ensure that the appropriate precautions are taken without unnecessarily canceling
clinically necessary examinations.
Correct Answer: C
,Q2. A technologist is preparing to perform a portable chest X-ray on a patient in isolation for
tuberculosis. Which personal protective equipment is required?
A. Standard precautions only
B. N95 respirator, gown, gloves, and eye protection [CORRECT]
C. Surgical mask and gloves only
D. No special precautions are needed for radiography
This choice is correct because tuberculosis is transmitted via airborne droplet nuclei, requiring airborne
precautions including an N95 respirator or higher-level protection, along with standard precautions of
gown and gloves; eye protection is added when splash risk exists. This aligns with ARRT standards for
infection control and follows CDC guidelines for transmission-based precautions, ensuring both
technologist and patient safety during the examination.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. During a barium enema examination, a patient with a history of ulcerative colitis develops severe
abdominal cramping and begins passing bright red blood per rectum. The technologist's priority action
is:
A. Continue the examination to complete the diagnostic study
B. Stop the procedure immediately and notify the radiologist and physician [CORRECT]
C. Administer additional barium to dilute the blood
D. Reposition the patient and continue with spot films
The best answer is B. Passage of bright red blood during a barium enema in a patient with ulcerative
colitis is a serious complication suggesting possible bowel perforation or severe mucosal injury; the
examination must be stopped immediately, and the radiologist and referring physician must be notified
for further evaluation and management. This follows standard radiographic practice where patient
safety always takes precedence over completing the diagnostic study, and prompt recognition of
complications can be life-saving.
Correct Answer: B
Q4. A patient with a known history of claustrophobia is scheduled for an MRI but arrives in the radiology
department for a routine chest X-ray. The patient becomes extremely anxious and refuses to lie on the
table. The most appropriate technologist response is:
A. Insist the patient complete the examination immediately
B. Use therapeutic communication, assess the patient's concerns, and consider modifications or
sedation consultation [CORRECT]
, C. Document the refusal and send the patient home without further action
D. Have a family member hold the patient down for the exposure
This choice is correct because patient anxiety is a common challenge in radiography, and the
technologist should use therapeutic communication to understand the root cause, offer explanations
and reassurance, consider modifications like upright positioning, and involve nursing or physician
colleagues for sedation if needed. This aligns with ARRT standards for patient interactions and
management, where respecting patient autonomy while working collaboratively to achieve the
diagnostic goal is the standard of care.
Correct Answer: B
Q5. A technologist receives a request for a stat portable chest X-ray on a patient with a suspected
pneumothorax. Upon arrival at the bedside, the patient is receiving oxygen via nasal cannula at 4 L/min
and has a peripheral IV in the left arm. Which action is most appropriate?
A. Remove the oxygen and IV to avoid artifacts
B. Leave all medical devices in place and include them in the image field if necessary [CORRECT]
C. Move the IV to the right arm before imaging
D. Disconnect the oxygen only for the exposure
The best answer is B. Medical devices should never be removed for radiographic purposes; they are part
of the patient's current clinical status, and their position may be clinically relevant. The technologist
should work around the devices, collimate appropriately, and ensure the diagnostic area of interest is
adequately visualized. This follows standard radiographic practice where patient care takes precedence
over image aesthetics, and removing life-supporting devices could cause patient harm.
Correct Answer: B
Q6. A pediatric patient, age 4, requires a wrist radiograph after a fall. The technologist should:
A. Use adult technique factors without modification
B. Reduce exposure factors, use immobilization devices, and employ communication appropriate to the
child's developmental level [CORRECT]
C. Have the parent leave the room to avoid distraction
D. Use a grid for all pediatric extremity examinations
This choice is correct because pediatric patients require reduced exposure factors due to smaller body
size and increased radiosensitivity, immobilization to prevent motion artifact, and age-appropriate
communication to gain cooperation; parents are typically encouraged to remain in the room for comfort
and safety. This aligns with ARRT standards for patient care across the lifespan and follows the ALARA
