Radiation Health and Safety ACTUAL
UPDATED Questions and CORRECT
Answers
When taking a panoramic radiograph of an obese patient, as compared to a slim patient, exposure
(kV or mA) a should be
a. be decreased
b. be increased
c. remain the same - CORRECT ANSWER - b. be increased
The major disadvantage of the bisecting angle technique is that...
a. the film is more difficult to place.
b. image distortion is more likely.
c. the exposure time is significantly longer.
d. the amount of radiation absorbed by the patient is increased. - CORRECT ANSWER -
b. image distortion is more likely
To reduce cross-comtanation during radiography, the CDC and ADA recommend that the
operators do all of the following EXECPT
a. wear gloves
b. dispose of saliva- contaminated film packet carefully.
c. use sterilizable or disposable film holders.
d. cover control unit and the tube-head with plastic barrier.
e. take complete medical histories - CORRECT ANSWER - e. take complete medical
histories
Ideally, a lead apron would be used
a. for a full moth series
b. for any dental radiographs
,c. if the kV is increased above normal.
d. when the X-ray machine is suspected of malfunctioning. - CORRECT ANSWER - b.
for any dental radiographs
A full mouth radiographic series has just been processed manually. The operator notes that the
films on the bottom of the rack are of a different density. What could have caused this?
a. developing solution was too cold.
b. developing solution was contaminated
c. fixer solution was reaching exhaustion.
d. solutions were not stirred before processing - CORRECT ANSWER - d. solutions were
not stirred before processing
A film that has been exposed to scattered radiation will appear
a. brown
b. fogged
c. green
d. clear - CORRECT ANSWER - b. fogged
X-ray exposure time should be increased if the patient is
a. very old
b. edentulous
c. large adult
d. very young - CORRECT ANSWER - c. large adult
Before exposing a panoramic radiograph on a patient, the operator should request the removal of
all of the following EXECPT
a. watch
b. dentures
c. eyeglasses
, d. removable bridgework
e. earrings - CORRECT ANSWER - a. watch
A parent refuses to have radiographs taken on his/her child. The dental assistant should
a. explain that the radiographs are necessary for insurance reimbursement
b. inform the dentist and document parent's refusal
c. expose the necessary radiographs without the parents knowledge
d. refer the parent to another dentist - CORRECT ANSWER - b. inform the dentist and
document parent's refusal
Incorrect horizontal angulation of the primary beam produces
a. overlapping of occlusal surfaces
b. overlapping of proximal surfaces
c. lengthening of the image of the tooth
d. shortening of the image of the tooth - CORRECT ANSWER - b. overlapping of
proximal surfaces
Where is the radiographic landmark 'incisive foramen' usually located?
a. maxillary anterior
b. mandibular anterior
c. maxillary posterior
d. mandibular posterior - CORRECT ANSWER - a. maxillary anterior
Cephalometric radiographs are primarily indicated to evaluate
a. bone loss
b. fractures
c. caries
d. jaw relationships - CORRECT ANSWER - d. jaw relationships
UPDATED Questions and CORRECT
Answers
When taking a panoramic radiograph of an obese patient, as compared to a slim patient, exposure
(kV or mA) a should be
a. be decreased
b. be increased
c. remain the same - CORRECT ANSWER - b. be increased
The major disadvantage of the bisecting angle technique is that...
a. the film is more difficult to place.
b. image distortion is more likely.
c. the exposure time is significantly longer.
d. the amount of radiation absorbed by the patient is increased. - CORRECT ANSWER -
b. image distortion is more likely
To reduce cross-comtanation during radiography, the CDC and ADA recommend that the
operators do all of the following EXECPT
a. wear gloves
b. dispose of saliva- contaminated film packet carefully.
c. use sterilizable or disposable film holders.
d. cover control unit and the tube-head with plastic barrier.
e. take complete medical histories - CORRECT ANSWER - e. take complete medical
histories
Ideally, a lead apron would be used
a. for a full moth series
b. for any dental radiographs
,c. if the kV is increased above normal.
d. when the X-ray machine is suspected of malfunctioning. - CORRECT ANSWER - b.
for any dental radiographs
A full mouth radiographic series has just been processed manually. The operator notes that the
films on the bottom of the rack are of a different density. What could have caused this?
a. developing solution was too cold.
b. developing solution was contaminated
c. fixer solution was reaching exhaustion.
d. solutions were not stirred before processing - CORRECT ANSWER - d. solutions were
not stirred before processing
A film that has been exposed to scattered radiation will appear
a. brown
b. fogged
c. green
d. clear - CORRECT ANSWER - b. fogged
X-ray exposure time should be increased if the patient is
a. very old
b. edentulous
c. large adult
d. very young - CORRECT ANSWER - c. large adult
Before exposing a panoramic radiograph on a patient, the operator should request the removal of
all of the following EXECPT
a. watch
b. dentures
c. eyeglasses
, d. removable bridgework
e. earrings - CORRECT ANSWER - a. watch
A parent refuses to have radiographs taken on his/her child. The dental assistant should
a. explain that the radiographs are necessary for insurance reimbursement
b. inform the dentist and document parent's refusal
c. expose the necessary radiographs without the parents knowledge
d. refer the parent to another dentist - CORRECT ANSWER - b. inform the dentist and
document parent's refusal
Incorrect horizontal angulation of the primary beam produces
a. overlapping of occlusal surfaces
b. overlapping of proximal surfaces
c. lengthening of the image of the tooth
d. shortening of the image of the tooth - CORRECT ANSWER - b. overlapping of
proximal surfaces
Where is the radiographic landmark 'incisive foramen' usually located?
a. maxillary anterior
b. mandibular anterior
c. maxillary posterior
d. mandibular posterior - CORRECT ANSWER - a. maxillary anterior
Cephalometric radiographs are primarily indicated to evaluate
a. bone loss
b. fractures
c. caries
d. jaw relationships - CORRECT ANSWER - d. jaw relationships
