HESI Radiography Comprehensive Exam Prep Test
Bank 2 [650 Questions & Correct Verified Answers]
| 2026-2027 Edition
This comprehensive test bank contains 650 verified questions and answers for the
HESI Radiography Examination. The questions cover all essential domains
including radiation physics, image production, patient care, positioning, radiation
protection, and digital imaging . Each question includes detailed rationales to
reinforce learning and ensure exam readiness.
Content Area Overview
Domain Questions Key Topics
Radiation Physics & X-ray Production 1-100 Bremsstrahlung, characteristic
radiation, anode heel effect, beam quality
Image Production & Processing 101-200 Digital imaging, LUTs, exposure
indicators, image artifacts
Patient Care & Safety 201-300 HIPAA, informed consent, venipuncture,
medical emergencies
Radiographic Positioning 301-400 Skull, spine, chest, abdomen, extremities,
special projections
Radiation Protection & Biology 401-500 ALARA, shielding, dose limits, cell
sensitivity, LET
Digital Radiography & Equipment 501-600 CR/DR systems, AEC, grid
selection, image processing
Contrast Media & Special Procedures 601-650 Contrast agents, IVU,
fluoroscopy, sterile technique
,SECTION 1: RADIATION PHYSICS & X-RAY PRODUCTION (Questions 1-100)
Question 1: A Bremsstrahlung interaction is best described by which statement?
A) An electron is slowed and changes direction when passing near a nucleus.
B) An electron strikes an inner shell electron of a target atom.
C) A photon is slowed and changes direction.
D) A photon strikes an inner shell electron.
Correct Answer: A) An electron is slowed and changes direction when passing
near a nucleus.
Rationale: Bremsstrahlung (Brems) interactions occur when a projectile electron
is attracted to the positive nuclear charge of a tungsten atom and is slowed as it
passes by the nucleus. This loss of kinetic energy is emitted as an x-ray photon .
Characteristic radiation is produced when a projectile electron interacts with an
inner shell electron of the target atom.
Question 2: The energy of a Bremsstrahlung x-ray is determined by:
A) The distance between the filament electron and the nucleus of the target atom
B) The atomic number of the target material
C) The difference in binding energies of orbital shells involved
D) The number of electrons traveling from cathode to anode
Correct Answer: A) The distance between the filament electron and the nucleus
of the target atom
,Rationale: The closer the filament electron comes to the nucleus of the target
atom, the greater the energy of the Bremsstrahlung x-ray produced. The energy
of a characteristic photon is determined by the difference in binding energy of the
orbital shells involved .
Question 3: What is the maximum speed of filament electrons as they travel
toward the anode?
A) Half the speed of light
B) One-quarter the speed of light
C) Three-quarters the speed of light
D) The speed of light
Correct Answer: A) Half the speed of light
Rationale: Filament electrons may reach speeds of about half the speed of light as
they accelerate toward the anode . This high velocity contributes to the kinetic
energy that is converted to x-rays upon impact with the target.
Question 4: In an image intensifier, what is the potential difference between the
anode and photocathode?
A) 5 to 10 kV
B) 15 to 20 kV
C) 25 to 35 kV
, D) 40 to 50 kV
Correct Answer: C) 25 to 35 kV
Rationale: The potential difference between the anode and photocathode in an
image intensifier is typically 25 to 35 kV. This accelerating voltage drives the
electrons from the photocathode toward the output phosphor .
Question 5: Where is the anode end placed when imaging a long bone?
A) Toward the foot
B) Toward the head
C) Toward the patient's right side
D) Toward the thicker portion of the anatomy
Correct Answer: D) Toward the thicker portion of the anatomy
Rationale: The anode heel effect produces greater x-ray intensity under the
cathode end. To compensate for this, the cathode end should be positioned over
the thicker portion of the anatomy being imaged . For example, when imaging the
femur, the cathode should be placed over the hip (thicker tissue).
Question 6: Which change causes a decrease in resistance and an increase in
current flow?
A) Changing to a more complex compound for conduction
Bank 2 [650 Questions & Correct Verified Answers]
| 2026-2027 Edition
This comprehensive test bank contains 650 verified questions and answers for the
HESI Radiography Examination. The questions cover all essential domains
including radiation physics, image production, patient care, positioning, radiation
protection, and digital imaging . Each question includes detailed rationales to
reinforce learning and ensure exam readiness.
Content Area Overview
Domain Questions Key Topics
Radiation Physics & X-ray Production 1-100 Bremsstrahlung, characteristic
radiation, anode heel effect, beam quality
Image Production & Processing 101-200 Digital imaging, LUTs, exposure
indicators, image artifacts
Patient Care & Safety 201-300 HIPAA, informed consent, venipuncture,
medical emergencies
Radiographic Positioning 301-400 Skull, spine, chest, abdomen, extremities,
special projections
Radiation Protection & Biology 401-500 ALARA, shielding, dose limits, cell
sensitivity, LET
Digital Radiography & Equipment 501-600 CR/DR systems, AEC, grid
selection, image processing
Contrast Media & Special Procedures 601-650 Contrast agents, IVU,
fluoroscopy, sterile technique
,SECTION 1: RADIATION PHYSICS & X-RAY PRODUCTION (Questions 1-100)
Question 1: A Bremsstrahlung interaction is best described by which statement?
A) An electron is slowed and changes direction when passing near a nucleus.
B) An electron strikes an inner shell electron of a target atom.
C) A photon is slowed and changes direction.
D) A photon strikes an inner shell electron.
Correct Answer: A) An electron is slowed and changes direction when passing
near a nucleus.
Rationale: Bremsstrahlung (Brems) interactions occur when a projectile electron
is attracted to the positive nuclear charge of a tungsten atom and is slowed as it
passes by the nucleus. This loss of kinetic energy is emitted as an x-ray photon .
Characteristic radiation is produced when a projectile electron interacts with an
inner shell electron of the target atom.
Question 2: The energy of a Bremsstrahlung x-ray is determined by:
A) The distance between the filament electron and the nucleus of the target atom
B) The atomic number of the target material
C) The difference in binding energies of orbital shells involved
D) The number of electrons traveling from cathode to anode
Correct Answer: A) The distance between the filament electron and the nucleus
of the target atom
,Rationale: The closer the filament electron comes to the nucleus of the target
atom, the greater the energy of the Bremsstrahlung x-ray produced. The energy
of a characteristic photon is determined by the difference in binding energy of the
orbital shells involved .
Question 3: What is the maximum speed of filament electrons as they travel
toward the anode?
A) Half the speed of light
B) One-quarter the speed of light
C) Three-quarters the speed of light
D) The speed of light
Correct Answer: A) Half the speed of light
Rationale: Filament electrons may reach speeds of about half the speed of light as
they accelerate toward the anode . This high velocity contributes to the kinetic
energy that is converted to x-rays upon impact with the target.
Question 4: In an image intensifier, what is the potential difference between the
anode and photocathode?
A) 5 to 10 kV
B) 15 to 20 kV
C) 25 to 35 kV
, D) 40 to 50 kV
Correct Answer: C) 25 to 35 kV
Rationale: The potential difference between the anode and photocathode in an
image intensifier is typically 25 to 35 kV. This accelerating voltage drives the
electrons from the photocathode toward the output phosphor .
Question 5: Where is the anode end placed when imaging a long bone?
A) Toward the foot
B) Toward the head
C) Toward the patient's right side
D) Toward the thicker portion of the anatomy
Correct Answer: D) Toward the thicker portion of the anatomy
Rationale: The anode heel effect produces greater x-ray intensity under the
cathode end. To compensate for this, the cathode end should be positioned over
the thicker portion of the anatomy being imaged . For example, when imaging the
femur, the cathode should be placed over the hip (thicker tissue).
Question 6: Which change causes a decrease in resistance and an increase in
current flow?
A) Changing to a more complex compound for conduction
