Radiologic Technologist
Certification Examination: Practice
Questions, Answers, and Detailed
Rationales
1. A 55-year-old woman is in the radiology department for a barium enema. She is
anxious about the examination and says she heard it is "painful and horrible." The technologist
should communicate with the patient by:
1. Using medical and technical terminology when explaining the procedure
2. Keeping explanations simple and truthful
3. Using eye contact and an empathetic tone when explaining the procedure
A) 1 and 2
B) 1 and 3
,C) 2 and 3
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: C) 2 and 3
Rationale: Effective patient communication requires using simple, truthful
language rather than complex medical terminology that may increase anxiety. Maintaining eye
contact and using an empathetic tone helps build trust and reduces patient fear. Medical jargon
can confuse patients and increase their anxiety about the procedure .
2. An emergency department patient arrives in the radiology department. The patient
seems stable but is breathing rapidly. The technologist communicates this concern to the
radiologist as:
A) Bradypnea
B) Tachycardia
C) Bradycardia
D) Tachypnea
Answer: D) Tachypnea
Rationale: Tachypnea is the medical term for abnormally rapid breathing.
Bradypnea refers to slow breathing, tachycardia is rapid heart rate, and bradycardia is slow
heart rate. Using correct medical terminology ensures accurate communication among
healthcare team members .
, 3. The average temporal artery temperature for a patient is:
A) 97°F
B) 98.6°F
C) 99.5°F
D) 100°F
Answer: D) 100°F
Rationale: Temporal artery temperature averages approximately 100°F
(37.8°C), which is slightly higher than oral temperature due to the temporal artery's proximity to
the skin surface and blood flow patterns. Normal oral temperature is approximately 98.6°F .
4. The ______ mode of transmission spreads pathogens through contaminated objects
such as a patient's belongings.
A) Direct contact
B) Endogenous
C) Indirect contact
D) Vector
Answer: C) Indirect contact
, Rationale: Indirect contact transmission occurs when pathogens are spread
through contaminated objects or surfaces (fomites) such as patient belongings, medical
equipment, or door handles. Direct contact involves person-to-person transmission,
endogenous refers to pathogens originating from within the patient's own body, and vector
transmission involves insects or animals .
5. The need for ______ is at the top of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
A) Self-actualization
B) Belonging and love
C) Esteem
D) Physiologic safety or comfort
Answer: A) Self-actualization
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy of needs places self-actualization at the highest
level, representing the fulfillment of one's potential and achievement of personal growth. The
hierarchy progresses from basic physiologic needs (bottom) through safety, love/belonging,
esteem, and finally self-actualization at the top .
6. A technologist notices that a co-worker selects exposure factors for a patient's
examination that are much higher than necessary for the patient's body habitus. The
appropriate action is to:
A) Ignore the situation to avoid conflict
Certification Examination: Practice
Questions, Answers, and Detailed
Rationales
1. A 55-year-old woman is in the radiology department for a barium enema. She is
anxious about the examination and says she heard it is "painful and horrible." The technologist
should communicate with the patient by:
1. Using medical and technical terminology when explaining the procedure
2. Keeping explanations simple and truthful
3. Using eye contact and an empathetic tone when explaining the procedure
A) 1 and 2
B) 1 and 3
,C) 2 and 3
D) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: C) 2 and 3
Rationale: Effective patient communication requires using simple, truthful
language rather than complex medical terminology that may increase anxiety. Maintaining eye
contact and using an empathetic tone helps build trust and reduces patient fear. Medical jargon
can confuse patients and increase their anxiety about the procedure .
2. An emergency department patient arrives in the radiology department. The patient
seems stable but is breathing rapidly. The technologist communicates this concern to the
radiologist as:
A) Bradypnea
B) Tachycardia
C) Bradycardia
D) Tachypnea
Answer: D) Tachypnea
Rationale: Tachypnea is the medical term for abnormally rapid breathing.
Bradypnea refers to slow breathing, tachycardia is rapid heart rate, and bradycardia is slow
heart rate. Using correct medical terminology ensures accurate communication among
healthcare team members .
, 3. The average temporal artery temperature for a patient is:
A) 97°F
B) 98.6°F
C) 99.5°F
D) 100°F
Answer: D) 100°F
Rationale: Temporal artery temperature averages approximately 100°F
(37.8°C), which is slightly higher than oral temperature due to the temporal artery's proximity to
the skin surface and blood flow patterns. Normal oral temperature is approximately 98.6°F .
4. The ______ mode of transmission spreads pathogens through contaminated objects
such as a patient's belongings.
A) Direct contact
B) Endogenous
C) Indirect contact
D) Vector
Answer: C) Indirect contact
, Rationale: Indirect contact transmission occurs when pathogens are spread
through contaminated objects or surfaces (fomites) such as patient belongings, medical
equipment, or door handles. Direct contact involves person-to-person transmission,
endogenous refers to pathogens originating from within the patient's own body, and vector
transmission involves insects or animals .
5. The need for ______ is at the top of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
A) Self-actualization
B) Belonging and love
C) Esteem
D) Physiologic safety or comfort
Answer: A) Self-actualization
Rationale: Maslow's hierarchy of needs places self-actualization at the highest
level, representing the fulfillment of one's potential and achievement of personal growth. The
hierarchy progresses from basic physiologic needs (bottom) through safety, love/belonging,
esteem, and finally self-actualization at the top .
6. A technologist notices that a co-worker selects exposure factors for a patient's
examination that are much higher than necessary for the patient's body habitus. The
appropriate action is to:
A) Ignore the situation to avoid conflict
