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RELIAS / PROPHECY INTERVENTIONAL
RADIOLOGY RN QUESTIONS EXAM LATEST
VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
RELIAS / PROPHECY INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY RN EXAM
Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. As the circulating nurse in the IR suite, what should you wear to protect yourself
from radiation exposure?
A) Lead apron only
B) Lead apron and thyroid collar
C) Lead apron, thyroid collar, and lead glasses
D) Lead apron, thyroid collar, lead glasses, and lead gloves
Correct Answer: C – The circulating nurse should wear a lead apron, thyroid collar, and
lead glasses for radiation protection. Lead gloves are typically worn by personnel whose
hands are in the primary beam. Lead aprons should be inspected annually for cracks or
damage.
2. What is the primary reason scatter radiation is a safety concern in the IR suite?
A) It causes leakage from the radiation source
B) It is the primary source of radiation exposure to staff
C) It only affects the patient, not the staff
D) It is not a significant safety concern
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Correct Answer: B – Scatter radiation is the primary source of radiation exposure to
staff in the IR suite. It occurs when the primary beam interacts with the patient and
scatters in multiple directions. Very high doses of radiation can cause damage to
human cells, as evidenced by skin burns, hair loss, and increased incidence of cancer.
3. The ALARA principle in radiation safety stands for:
A) Always Limit All Radiation Amounts
B) As Low As Reasonably Achievable
C) Always Lower All Radiation Applications
D) As Low As Radiologically Accepted
Correct Answer: B – ALARA stands for "As Low As Reasonably Achievable." Observation
of the ALARA protocol decreases X-ray exposure to staff.
4. Which of the following is the most effective way to reduce radiation exposure to
staff during fluoroscopy?
A) Standing closer to the patient
B) Increasing the fluoroscopy time
C) Standing behind a lead shield and maximizing distance from the source
D) Using higher radiation settings
Correct Answer: C – Standing behind a lead shield and maximizing distance from the
radiation source are effective ways to reduce radiation exposure. The intensity of
radiation decreases with the square of the distance from the source.
5. A pregnant staff member working in the IR suite should:
A) Continue working without any restrictions
B) Wear a double lead apron at all times
C) Notify their supervisor and follow radiation safety protocols for pregnant workers
D) Transfer to a non-radiation area immediately
Correct Answer: C – Pregnant staff members should notify their supervisor and follow
institutional radiation safety protocols for pregnant workers, which typically include
additional monitoring and dose limits.
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6. What is the maximum allowable occupational radiation dose for the lens of the
eye per year?
A) 50 mSv
B) 150 mSv
C) 20 mSv
D) 100 mSv
Correct Answer: C – The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)
recommends a limit of 20 mSv per year for the lens of the eye.
7. Dosimeters worn by IR staff should be positioned:
A) At the collar level, outside the lead apron
B) Under the lead apron at waist level
C) On the wrist
D) At the ankle
Correct Answer: A – Dosimeters should be worn at the collar level outside the lead
apron to measure radiation exposure to the head and neck, which are not protected by
the apron.
8. What is the primary cause of radiation exposure to staff during fluoroscopy?
A) Direct beam exposure
B) Scatter radiation from the patient
C) Leakage from the X-ray tube
D) Background radiation
Correct Answer: B – Scatter radiation from the patient is the primary source of radiation
exposure to staff during fluoroscopy procedures.
9. The inverse square law states that radiation intensity is:
A) Directly proportional to the distance from the source
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B) Inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source
C) Unaffected by distance
D) Proportional to the cube of the distance
Correct Answer: B – The inverse square law states that radiation intensity decreases
with the square of the distance from the source. Doubling the distance reduces
exposure to one-quarter of the original intensity.
10. Which of the following is NOT a recommended radiation protection practice in
the IR suite?
A) Using the lowest possible fluoroscopy settings
B) Collimating the beam to the area of interest
C) Standing as close to the patient as possible
D) Using pulsed fluoroscopy
Correct Answer: C – Standing as close to the patient as possible increases radiation
exposure. Staff should maximize their distance from the radiation source.
11. Lead aprons should be inspected for damage:
A) Daily
B) Weekly
C) Annually
D) Only when visible damage is noted
Correct Answer: C – Lead aprons should be inspected for cracks or damage annually,
and after any suspected damage, to ensure they provide adequate protection.
12. What is the recommended minimum lead equivalent thickness for a protective
apron?
A) 0.25 mm
B) 0.5 mm
C) 1.0 mm
D) 2.0 mm
RELIAS / PROPHECY INTERVENTIONAL
RADIOLOGY RN QUESTIONS EXAM LATEST
VERSION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 2026
EDITION
RELIAS / PROPHECY INTERVENTIONAL RADIOLOGY RN EXAM
Questions with Answers and Rationales
1. As the circulating nurse in the IR suite, what should you wear to protect yourself
from radiation exposure?
A) Lead apron only
B) Lead apron and thyroid collar
C) Lead apron, thyroid collar, and lead glasses
D) Lead apron, thyroid collar, lead glasses, and lead gloves
Correct Answer: C – The circulating nurse should wear a lead apron, thyroid collar, and
lead glasses for radiation protection. Lead gloves are typically worn by personnel whose
hands are in the primary beam. Lead aprons should be inspected annually for cracks or
damage.
2. What is the primary reason scatter radiation is a safety concern in the IR suite?
A) It causes leakage from the radiation source
B) It is the primary source of radiation exposure to staff
C) It only affects the patient, not the staff
D) It is not a significant safety concern
, Page 2 of 74
Correct Answer: B – Scatter radiation is the primary source of radiation exposure to
staff in the IR suite. It occurs when the primary beam interacts with the patient and
scatters in multiple directions. Very high doses of radiation can cause damage to
human cells, as evidenced by skin burns, hair loss, and increased incidence of cancer.
3. The ALARA principle in radiation safety stands for:
A) Always Limit All Radiation Amounts
B) As Low As Reasonably Achievable
C) Always Lower All Radiation Applications
D) As Low As Radiologically Accepted
Correct Answer: B – ALARA stands for "As Low As Reasonably Achievable." Observation
of the ALARA protocol decreases X-ray exposure to staff.
4. Which of the following is the most effective way to reduce radiation exposure to
staff during fluoroscopy?
A) Standing closer to the patient
B) Increasing the fluoroscopy time
C) Standing behind a lead shield and maximizing distance from the source
D) Using higher radiation settings
Correct Answer: C – Standing behind a lead shield and maximizing distance from the
radiation source are effective ways to reduce radiation exposure. The intensity of
radiation decreases with the square of the distance from the source.
5. A pregnant staff member working in the IR suite should:
A) Continue working without any restrictions
B) Wear a double lead apron at all times
C) Notify their supervisor and follow radiation safety protocols for pregnant workers
D) Transfer to a non-radiation area immediately
Correct Answer: C – Pregnant staff members should notify their supervisor and follow
institutional radiation safety protocols for pregnant workers, which typically include
additional monitoring and dose limits.
, Page 3 of 74
6. What is the maximum allowable occupational radiation dose for the lens of the
eye per year?
A) 50 mSv
B) 150 mSv
C) 20 mSv
D) 100 mSv
Correct Answer: C – The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)
recommends a limit of 20 mSv per year for the lens of the eye.
7. Dosimeters worn by IR staff should be positioned:
A) At the collar level, outside the lead apron
B) Under the lead apron at waist level
C) On the wrist
D) At the ankle
Correct Answer: A – Dosimeters should be worn at the collar level outside the lead
apron to measure radiation exposure to the head and neck, which are not protected by
the apron.
8. What is the primary cause of radiation exposure to staff during fluoroscopy?
A) Direct beam exposure
B) Scatter radiation from the patient
C) Leakage from the X-ray tube
D) Background radiation
Correct Answer: B – Scatter radiation from the patient is the primary source of radiation
exposure to staff during fluoroscopy procedures.
9. The inverse square law states that radiation intensity is:
A) Directly proportional to the distance from the source
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B) Inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source
C) Unaffected by distance
D) Proportional to the cube of the distance
Correct Answer: B – The inverse square law states that radiation intensity decreases
with the square of the distance from the source. Doubling the distance reduces
exposure to one-quarter of the original intensity.
10. Which of the following is NOT a recommended radiation protection practice in
the IR suite?
A) Using the lowest possible fluoroscopy settings
B) Collimating the beam to the area of interest
C) Standing as close to the patient as possible
D) Using pulsed fluoroscopy
Correct Answer: C – Standing as close to the patient as possible increases radiation
exposure. Staff should maximize their distance from the radiation source.
11. Lead aprons should be inspected for damage:
A) Daily
B) Weekly
C) Annually
D) Only when visible damage is noted
Correct Answer: C – Lead aprons should be inspected for cracks or damage annually,
and after any suspected damage, to ensure they provide adequate protection.
12. What is the recommended minimum lead equivalent thickness for a protective
apron?
A) 0.25 mm
B) 0.5 mm
C) 1.0 mm
D) 2.0 mm
