Medical Radiation Technology Week
12 Exam – Practice Questions &
Rationales
This study guide provides 100 original practice questions based on the University of
Regina IMG0122 Medical Radiation Technology curriculum. These are unofficial study
aids designed to help you master core imaging principles for the 2025/2026 academic
cycle, covering gastrointestinal pathologies, radiation safety, and imaging techniques.
SECTION 1: GASTROINTESTINAL PATHOLOGIES (Questions
1–30)
1. What is achalasia?
A) Inflammation of the esophagus caused by acid reflux
B) A functional obstruction of the distal esophagus
C) A congenital abnormality of the trachea
D) A malignant tumor of the esophagus
Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: Achalasia is a functional obstruction of the distal esophagus caused by failure
of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax due to damage to the esophageal nerve
plexus. This results in impaired peristalsis and difficulty swallowing.
2. What causes achalasia?
,A) Excessive acid production in the stomach
B) Failure of the LES to relax due to damage to esophageal nerves
C) Bacterial infection of the esophagus
D) Congenital malformation of the esophagus
Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: Achalasia occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax properly
due to damage to the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus. This damage leads to a functional
obstruction at the gastroesophageal junction.
3. What are the manifestations of achalasia?
A) Nausea and vomiting
B) Coughing and heartburn
C) Abdominal pain and diarrhea
D) Weight loss and fever
Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: Common symptoms of achalasia include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia),
regurgitation, chest pain, and heartburn. Coughing may occur due to aspiration of food
or saliva. The condition is characterized by progressive dysphagia to both solids and
liquids.
4. What is the "rat-tail sign" in the context of achalasia?
A) A barium-filled appendix
B) Tapering of the distal esophagus
,C) A twisted loop of bowel
D) A filling defect in the stomach
Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: The rat-tail sign refers to the smooth, tapered narrowing of the distal
esophagus seen on barium swallow studies in patients with achalasia. This appearance is
caused by the failure of the LES to relax.
5. What are the three treatment options for achalasia?
A) Antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals
B) Botox injection, medication, and surgery
C) Radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy
D) Diet modification, exercise, and stress management
Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: Treatment options for achalasia include: (1) Botox injections to relax the LES,
(2) medications such as calcium channel blockers or nitrates to reduce LES pressure, and
(3) surgical myotomy to cut the esophageal muscle.
6. What is a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF)?
A) An abnormal connection between the trachea and esophagus
B) A narrowing of the esophageal lumen
C) An inflammation of the trachea
D) A congenital absence of the esophagus
, Resolution Result Verified Answers : A
Rationale: A tracheoesophageal fistula is an abnormal connection between the trachea
and esophagus, which can allow air or gastric contents to pass between the two
structures. This is a congenital anomaly that requires surgical correction.
7. What is undeveloped in tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF)?
A) The tracheal lumen
B) The esophageal lumen
C) The bronchial tree
D) The larynx
Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: In TEF, there is often an associated esophageal atresia where the esophageal
lumen fails to develop properly. The esophagus may end in a blind pouch rather than
connecting to the stomach.
8. What is atresia?
A) An abnormal connection between two organs
B) A condition in which an orifice or passage in the body is closed or absent
C) An inflammation of the GI tract
D) A type of hernia
12 Exam – Practice Questions &
Rationales
This study guide provides 100 original practice questions based on the University of
Regina IMG0122 Medical Radiation Technology curriculum. These are unofficial study
aids designed to help you master core imaging principles for the 2025/2026 academic
cycle, covering gastrointestinal pathologies, radiation safety, and imaging techniques.
SECTION 1: GASTROINTESTINAL PATHOLOGIES (Questions
1–30)
1. What is achalasia?
A) Inflammation of the esophagus caused by acid reflux
B) A functional obstruction of the distal esophagus
C) A congenital abnormality of the trachea
D) A malignant tumor of the esophagus
Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: Achalasia is a functional obstruction of the distal esophagus caused by failure
of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax due to damage to the esophageal nerve
plexus. This results in impaired peristalsis and difficulty swallowing.
2. What causes achalasia?
,A) Excessive acid production in the stomach
B) Failure of the LES to relax due to damage to esophageal nerves
C) Bacterial infection of the esophagus
D) Congenital malformation of the esophagus
Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: Achalasia occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter fails to relax properly
due to damage to the myenteric (Auerbach's) plexus. This damage leads to a functional
obstruction at the gastroesophageal junction.
3. What are the manifestations of achalasia?
A) Nausea and vomiting
B) Coughing and heartburn
C) Abdominal pain and diarrhea
D) Weight loss and fever
Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: Common symptoms of achalasia include difficulty swallowing (dysphagia),
regurgitation, chest pain, and heartburn. Coughing may occur due to aspiration of food
or saliva. The condition is characterized by progressive dysphagia to both solids and
liquids.
4. What is the "rat-tail sign" in the context of achalasia?
A) A barium-filled appendix
B) Tapering of the distal esophagus
,C) A twisted loop of bowel
D) A filling defect in the stomach
Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: The rat-tail sign refers to the smooth, tapered narrowing of the distal
esophagus seen on barium swallow studies in patients with achalasia. This appearance is
caused by the failure of the LES to relax.
5. What are the three treatment options for achalasia?
A) Antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals
B) Botox injection, medication, and surgery
C) Radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy
D) Diet modification, exercise, and stress management
Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: Treatment options for achalasia include: (1) Botox injections to relax the LES,
(2) medications such as calcium channel blockers or nitrates to reduce LES pressure, and
(3) surgical myotomy to cut the esophageal muscle.
6. What is a tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF)?
A) An abnormal connection between the trachea and esophagus
B) A narrowing of the esophageal lumen
C) An inflammation of the trachea
D) A congenital absence of the esophagus
, Resolution Result Verified Answers : A
Rationale: A tracheoesophageal fistula is an abnormal connection between the trachea
and esophagus, which can allow air or gastric contents to pass between the two
structures. This is a congenital anomaly that requires surgical correction.
7. What is undeveloped in tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF)?
A) The tracheal lumen
B) The esophageal lumen
C) The bronchial tree
D) The larynx
Resolution Result Verified Answers : B
Rationale: In TEF, there is often an associated esophageal atresia where the esophageal
lumen fails to develop properly. The esophagus may end in a blind pouch rather than
connecting to the stomach.
8. What is atresia?
A) An abnormal connection between two organs
B) A condition in which an orifice or passage in the body is closed or absent
C) An inflammation of the GI tract
D) A type of hernia
