Radiographic Pathology for Technologists Exam Prep – Latest 2025/2026 Study Guide, Test Bank, Practice Questions with Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales for Radiologic Technology & Imaging Students

Radiographic Pathology for Technologists Exam
Prep – Latest 2025/2026 Study Guide, Test Bank,
Practice Questions with Correct Answers and
Detailed Rationales for Radiologic Technology &
Imaging Students

QUESTION 1
A patient presents with a history of chronic cough, weight loss, and hemoptysis. What is
the most likely radiographic finding?
A) Pulmonary nodules or masses. Correct answer:
B) Pleural effusion
C) Normal lung fields
D) Hyperinflation
RATIONALE:
Pulmonary nodules or masses may indicate malignancy or infection, correlating with
the patient's symptoms.


QUESTION 2
In the case of a patient with a suspected fracture, which imaging modality is generally
the first choice?
A) X-ray. Correct answer:
B) MRI
C) CT scan
D) Ultrasound
RATIONALE:
X-rays are the first-line imaging modality for detecting fractures due to their availability
and effectiveness.


QUESTION 3
A patient presents with abdominal pain and distension. What radiographic finding
would most likely indicate a bowel obstruction?
A) Air-fluid levels in a dilated bowel. Correct answer:
B) Free air under the diaphragm
C) Normal bowel gas pattern
D) Thickened bowel wall
RATIONALE:

,Air-fluid levels in a dilated bowel are classic signs of bowel obstruction, indicating the
accumulation of fluids and gas.


QUESTION 4
In a patient with suspected pneumonia, which radiographic finding is most
characteristic?
A) Consolidation in the affected lobe. Correct answer:
B) Hyperinflation
C) Pleural effusion
D) Normal lung fields
RATIONALE:
Consolidation appears as an area of increased opacity on X-ray, indicative of
pneumonia.


QUESTION 5
A patient with renal failure is undergoing imaging studies. Which radiographic change
might indicate renal disease?
A) Enlarged kidneys on ultrasound. Correct answer:
B) Normal kidney size
C) Decreased renal echogenicity
D) Calcifications in the renal pelvis
RATIONALE:
Enlarged kidneys may indicate conditions such as polycystic kidney disease or acute
renal failure.


QUESTION 6
In the diagnosis of osteomyelitis, which radiographic finding is most significant?
A) Bone destruction or irregularity. Correct answer:
B) Increased bone density
C) Normal bone appearance
D) Joint effusion
RATIONALE:
Osteomyelitis typically presents with bone destruction, often seen as irregularities on
radiographs.

,QUESTION 7
What is the most common radiographic appearance of a bronchial carcinoid tumor?
A) A well-defined solitary pulmonary nodule. Correct answer:
B) Diffuse lung infiltrates
C) Pleural effusion
D) Ground-glass opacities
RATIONALE:
Bronchial carcinoid tumors often appear as well-defined nodules on imaging.


QUESTION 8
A patient with suspected gallbladder disease undergoes an ultrasound. What is the
classic finding for cholecystitis?
A) Gallstones with thickened gallbladder wall. Correct answer:
B) Normal gallbladder
C) Distended gallbladder without stones
D) Hyperechoic liver lesions
RATIONALE:
Thickening of the gallbladder wall along with gallstones is indicative of cholecystitis.


QUESTION 9
Which imaging modality is most effective for assessing soft tissue tumors?
A) MRI. Correct answer:
B) CT scan
C) X-ray
D) Ultrasound
RATIONALE:
MRI provides superior contrast resolution for soft tissue differentiation, making it ideal
for soft tissue tumors.


QUESTION 10
In the evaluation of a suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), what radiographic
finding is most significant?

, A) An enlarged aorta. Correct answer:
B) Normal aortic size
C) Calcifications in the aorta
D) Narrowing of the aorta
RATIONALE:
An enlarged aorta is the primary indicator of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.


QUESTION 11
A patient with a history of smoking presents with a persistent cough. What is the most
likely radiographic finding in the case of lung cancer?
A) A solitary pulmonary nodule. Correct answer:
B) Widespread infiltrates
C) Pleural effusion
D) Normal lung fields
RATIONALE:
A solitary pulmonary nodule is a common radiographic finding in lung cancer patients.


QUESTION 12
What is the characteristic radiographic appearance of a herniated disc?
A) Posterior displacement of the intervertebral disc material. Correct answer:
B) Thickened vertebral body
C) Normal disc height
D) Increased lumbar lordosis
RATIONALE:
A herniated disc typically presents as posterior displacement of disc material on
imaging.


QUESTION 13
In a patient with suspected acute appendicitis, what is the most common radiographic
finding?
A) An enlarged, non-compressible appendix. Correct answer:
B) Normal appendix
C) Free fluid in the pelvis
D) Thickened bowel wall