Cervical and Thoracic Spine Test
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Which of the following positions will demonstrate the left intervertebral foramina of the
cervical spine?
a. LPO
b. LAO
c. RAO
d. Lateral - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- LAO
A radiograph of an AP thoracic spine projection reveals that the upper thoracic spine is
overexposed. The lower vertebrae have acceptable density and contrast. Which one of the
following modifications will improve the visibility of the upper thoracic spine?
a. Use a compensating (wedge) filter
b. Place the upper spine under the cathode side of the tube
c. Increase the kV to decrease the contrast of the upper spine
d. Use a breathing technique - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Use a compensating (wedge) filter
The most posterior aspect of a typical vertebra is the:
a. Pedicle
b. Spinous process
c. Body
d. Laminae - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Spinous process
Which of the following factors will enhance the visibility of the vertebral bodies during a
lateral projection of the thoracic spine?
a. Increase SID
b. Use an orthostatic (breathing) technique
c. Use a high kV
d. Flex the spine - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Use an orthostatic (breathing) technique
, Which of the following projections will project the dens within the shadow of the foramen
magnum?
a. AP projection (Fuchs method)
b. AP open mouth
c. None of the above
d. Twining method - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- AP projection (Fuchs method)
Which of the following positions will best demonstrate the left zygapophyseal joints of the
thoracic spine?
a. RPO
b. Lateral
c. LPO
d. RAO - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- RPO
Scoliosis is defined as an abnormal or exaggerated _____ curvature.
a. Lateral
b. Concave
c. Convex
d. "Swayback" lumbar - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Lateral
A patient enters the emergency department (ED) because of a motor vehicle accident (MVA).
The patient is on a backboard and wearing a cervical collar. The technologist is concerned
about the artifacts that the collar will project on the spine during the horizontal beam lateral
projection. What should the technologist do in this situation?
a. Remove the cervical collar but be careful not to move the patient's head
b. Ask the patient to remove the collar herself (for liability reasons)
c. Ask a nurse to remove the collar and to hold the patient's head while the technologist is
initiating the exposure
d. Leave the collar on during the exposure - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Leave the collar on
during the exposure
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Which of the following positions will demonstrate the left intervertebral foramina of the
cervical spine?
a. LPO
b. LAO
c. RAO
d. Lateral - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- LAO
A radiograph of an AP thoracic spine projection reveals that the upper thoracic spine is
overexposed. The lower vertebrae have acceptable density and contrast. Which one of the
following modifications will improve the visibility of the upper thoracic spine?
a. Use a compensating (wedge) filter
b. Place the upper spine under the cathode side of the tube
c. Increase the kV to decrease the contrast of the upper spine
d. Use a breathing technique - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Use a compensating (wedge) filter
The most posterior aspect of a typical vertebra is the:
a. Pedicle
b. Spinous process
c. Body
d. Laminae - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Spinous process
Which of the following factors will enhance the visibility of the vertebral bodies during a
lateral projection of the thoracic spine?
a. Increase SID
b. Use an orthostatic (breathing) technique
c. Use a high kV
d. Flex the spine - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Use an orthostatic (breathing) technique
, Which of the following projections will project the dens within the shadow of the foramen
magnum?
a. AP projection (Fuchs method)
b. AP open mouth
c. None of the above
d. Twining method - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- AP projection (Fuchs method)
Which of the following positions will best demonstrate the left zygapophyseal joints of the
thoracic spine?
a. RPO
b. Lateral
c. LPO
d. RAO - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- RPO
Scoliosis is defined as an abnormal or exaggerated _____ curvature.
a. Lateral
b. Concave
c. Convex
d. "Swayback" lumbar - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Lateral
A patient enters the emergency department (ED) because of a motor vehicle accident (MVA).
The patient is on a backboard and wearing a cervical collar. The technologist is concerned
about the artifacts that the collar will project on the spine during the horizontal beam lateral
projection. What should the technologist do in this situation?
a. Remove the cervical collar but be careful not to move the patient's head
b. Ask the patient to remove the collar herself (for liability reasons)
c. Ask a nurse to remove the collar and to hold the patient's head while the technologist is
initiating the exposure
d. Leave the collar on during the exposure - CORRECT ANSWER✔✔- Leave the collar on
during the exposure
