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Cervical and Thoracic Spine Test
Questions with 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 - 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 - ANSWER✔✔-Use a compensating (wedge) filter
The most posterior aspect of a typical vertebra is the:
a. Pedicle
b. Spinous process
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c. Body
d. Laminae - 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 - 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 - 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 - ANSWER✔✔-RPO
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Scoliosis is defined as an abnormal or exaggerated _____ curvature.
a. Lateral
b. Concave
c. Convex
d. "Swayback" lumbar - 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 - ANSWER✔✔-Leave the collar on during the exposure
Which position or projection of the cervical spine will best demonstrate the zygapophyseal joint spaces
between C1 and C2?
a. 45° posterior or anterior oblique
b. Lateral
c. Anteroposterior (AP) axial
d. AP open mouth - ANSWER✔✔-AP open mouth
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Cervical and Thoracic Spine Test
Questions with 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 - 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 - ANSWER✔✔-Use a compensating (wedge) filter
The most posterior aspect of a typical vertebra is the:
a. Pedicle
b. Spinous process
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, Copyright © OLIVIAWEST2024/2025 ACADEMIC YEAR. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
c. Body
d. Laminae - 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 - 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 - 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 - ANSWER✔✔-RPO
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Scoliosis is defined as an abnormal or exaggerated _____ curvature.
a. Lateral
b. Concave
c. Convex
d. "Swayback" lumbar - 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 - ANSWER✔✔-Leave the collar on during the exposure
Which position or projection of the cervical spine will best demonstrate the zygapophyseal joint spaces
between C1 and C2?
a. 45° posterior or anterior oblique
b. Lateral
c. Anteroposterior (AP) axial
d. AP open mouth - ANSWER✔✔-AP open mouth
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