Basic X-Ray Machine Operator Exam | Most Recent
Questions and Answers | 2026 Update | Exam Review
Pack
• The oldest and largest radiologic science professional organization is the: -✓✓
American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT)
• The organization that sets standards and prepares examinations necessary to
certify radiologic technologists and limited operators is the: -✓✓ American
Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
• The radiation that exits the opposite side of the patient to expose the image
receptor (IR) is called: -✓✓ Remnat radiation
• The term used to describe radiation that is absorbed by matter is: -✓✓
Attenuation
• The "unseen" image that is contained in the image receptor (IR) before it is
processed is called the: -✓✓ Latent image
• The radiation that exits the body in all directions and causes unwanted exposure
on the image receptor (IR) as well as anyone who is in the room is called
__________ radiation. -✓✓ Scattered
• The radiation that exits the x-ray tube and travels in-air to the patient is called: -
✓✓ Primary
• The boxlike device attached under the tube housing that allows the limited
operator to vary the size of the radiation field is called the: -✓✓ Collimator
,• An invisible line in the center of the x-ray beam and perpendicular to the long
axis of the x-ray tube is called the: -✓✓ Central Ray
• An exposure time of 0.02 seconds is equal to how many milliseconds? -✓✓ 20
msec
• The number 9 squared is equal to: -✓✓ 81
• The number 4 is the square root of: -✓✓ 16
• When 62 kVp is increased by 30%, the result is approximately: -✓✓ 81
• When the fraction 7/8 is converted to a decimal, the result is: -✓✓ 0.875
• When 230% is expressed as a decimal, the result is: -✓✓ 2.3
• A radiographic image is made using 500 mA, 0.1 sec., 80 kVp, and
48-inches SID. The value of the mAs for this exposure is -✓✓ 50 mAs
• X-rays have electromagnetic energy. The velocity (or speed) of this energy
travels at a speed of: -✓✓ 186,000 miles per second
• The smallest possible unit of electromagnetic energy is the: -✓✓ Photon
,• The electrical current flowing in an x-ray tube is measured in: -✓✓ Milliamperes
• The force or strength of the electron flow in an electrical current is measured in: -
✓✓ Kilovoltage
• The device used to produce the high voltage needed for x-ray production is called
the: -✓✓ Transformer
• In radiology, 80,000 volts is converted to: -✓✓ 80 kVp
• The target and the filament in the x-ray tube are made of: -✓✓ Tungsten
• Electrons are made available in the filament of the x-ray tube by a process called:
-✓✓ Thermionic emission
• The anode in x-ray tubes rotates at a high rpm to: -✓✓ Dissipate the heat
• The target in the x-ray tube is angled to affect the:
1. heat capacity
2. number of photons
3. sharpness of the image -✓✓ 1 and 3
• Which of the following would be a common small focal spot size in an x-ray
tube? -✓✓ 0.6 mm
• What size of target angle is required for the radiation to cover a
, 14-in x 17-in IR at a distance of 40 inches? -✓✓ 12 degrees
• The intensity of the x-ray beam is greatest at the: -✓✓ Cathode end of the beam
• The penetrating power of the x-ray beam is controlled by varying the: -✓✓ kVp
• If the mA is doubled, the x-ray photons emitted from the tube: -✓✓ Double
• The x-ray tube inside the protective housing is made of: -✓✓ Pyrex glass
• What material is used as the added filter material in x-ray tubes? -✓✓ Aluminum
• What percentage of the total energy applied to an x-ray tube target is converted
into x-rays? -✓✓ 99%
• The density in the radiographic image is primarily controlled by the: -✓✓ mA
• Which of the following supplies and controls the heat required by the x-ray tube
filament for thermionic emission of electrons? -✓✓ Filament circuit
• Which of the following is controlled directly on the x-ray control panel?
1. mA
2. rectification
3. automatic exposure control -✓✓ 1 and 3
Questions and Answers | 2026 Update | Exam Review
Pack
• The oldest and largest radiologic science professional organization is the: -✓✓
American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT)
• The organization that sets standards and prepares examinations necessary to
certify radiologic technologists and limited operators is the: -✓✓ American
Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
• The radiation that exits the opposite side of the patient to expose the image
receptor (IR) is called: -✓✓ Remnat radiation
• The term used to describe radiation that is absorbed by matter is: -✓✓
Attenuation
• The "unseen" image that is contained in the image receptor (IR) before it is
processed is called the: -✓✓ Latent image
• The radiation that exits the body in all directions and causes unwanted exposure
on the image receptor (IR) as well as anyone who is in the room is called
__________ radiation. -✓✓ Scattered
• The radiation that exits the x-ray tube and travels in-air to the patient is called: -
✓✓ Primary
• The boxlike device attached under the tube housing that allows the limited
operator to vary the size of the radiation field is called the: -✓✓ Collimator
,• An invisible line in the center of the x-ray beam and perpendicular to the long
axis of the x-ray tube is called the: -✓✓ Central Ray
• An exposure time of 0.02 seconds is equal to how many milliseconds? -✓✓ 20
msec
• The number 9 squared is equal to: -✓✓ 81
• The number 4 is the square root of: -✓✓ 16
• When 62 kVp is increased by 30%, the result is approximately: -✓✓ 81
• When the fraction 7/8 is converted to a decimal, the result is: -✓✓ 0.875
• When 230% is expressed as a decimal, the result is: -✓✓ 2.3
• A radiographic image is made using 500 mA, 0.1 sec., 80 kVp, and
48-inches SID. The value of the mAs for this exposure is -✓✓ 50 mAs
• X-rays have electromagnetic energy. The velocity (or speed) of this energy
travels at a speed of: -✓✓ 186,000 miles per second
• The smallest possible unit of electromagnetic energy is the: -✓✓ Photon
,• The electrical current flowing in an x-ray tube is measured in: -✓✓ Milliamperes
• The force or strength of the electron flow in an electrical current is measured in: -
✓✓ Kilovoltage
• The device used to produce the high voltage needed for x-ray production is called
the: -✓✓ Transformer
• In radiology, 80,000 volts is converted to: -✓✓ 80 kVp
• The target and the filament in the x-ray tube are made of: -✓✓ Tungsten
• Electrons are made available in the filament of the x-ray tube by a process called:
-✓✓ Thermionic emission
• The anode in x-ray tubes rotates at a high rpm to: -✓✓ Dissipate the heat
• The target in the x-ray tube is angled to affect the:
1. heat capacity
2. number of photons
3. sharpness of the image -✓✓ 1 and 3
• Which of the following would be a common small focal spot size in an x-ray
tube? -✓✓ 0.6 mm
• What size of target angle is required for the radiation to cover a
, 14-in x 17-in IR at a distance of 40 inches? -✓✓ 12 degrees
• The intensity of the x-ray beam is greatest at the: -✓✓ Cathode end of the beam
• The penetrating power of the x-ray beam is controlled by varying the: -✓✓ kVp
• If the mA is doubled, the x-ray photons emitted from the tube: -✓✓ Double
• The x-ray tube inside the protective housing is made of: -✓✓ Pyrex glass
• What material is used as the added filter material in x-ray tubes? -✓✓ Aluminum
• What percentage of the total energy applied to an x-ray tube target is converted
into x-rays? -✓✓ 99%
• The density in the radiographic image is primarily controlled by the: -✓✓ mA
• Which of the following supplies and controls the heat required by the x-ray tube
filament for thermionic emission of electrons? -✓✓ Filament circuit
• Which of the following is controlled directly on the x-ray control panel?
1. mA
2. rectification
3. automatic exposure control -✓✓ 1 and 3
