ANSWERSHEET
Complete Test Bank Radiation
Protection in Medical
Radiography 9th Edition by
Sherer (Chapter 1-16)
Chapter 01: Introduction to Radiation Protection
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Some consequences of ionization in human cells include:
1. creation of unstable atoms.
2. production of free electrons.
3. creation of reactive free radicals capable of producing substances poisonous to the cell.
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: D REF: 2
2. Which of the following is a special form of radiation that is capable of creating electrically
charged particles by removing orbital electrons from the atom of the material with which it
interacts?
a. Ionizing radiation
b. Nonionizing radiation
c. Subatomic radiation
d. Ultrasonic radiation
ANS: A REF: 2
3. Patients who have an understanding of the medical benefits of an imaging procedure because
they received factual information about the study before having the examination are more
likely to:
a. assume a small risk of biologic damage but not overcome any radiation phobia
they may have.
b. cancel their scheduled procedure because they are not willing to assume a small
risk of biologic damage.
c. overcome any radiation phobia but not assume a small risk of possible biologic
damage.
d. overcome any radiation phobia and be willing to assume a small risk of possible
biologic damage.
ANS: D REF: 8
4. The millisievert (mSv) is equal to:
a. 1/10 of a sievert.
b. 1/100 of a sievert.
c. 1/1000 of a sievert.
d. 1/10,000 of a sievert.
, ANSWERSHEET
ANS: C REF: 9
5. The advantages of the BERT method are:
1. it does not imply radiation risk; it is simply a means for comparison.
, ANSWERSHEET
2. it emphasizes that radiation is an innate part of our environment.
3. the answer given in terms of BERT is easy for the patient to comprehend.
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: D REF: 9
6. If a patient asks a radiographer a question about the potential risk of radiation exposure
associated with a specific x-ray procedure, the radiographer should:
a. use his or her intelligence and knowledge to answer the question honestly and
provide a suitable example that compares the amount of radiation received from
the procedure in question with natural background radiation received over a given
period of time.
b. avoid the patient’s question by changing the subject.
c. tell the patient that it is unethical to discuss such concerns.
d. refuse to answer the question and recommend that he or she speak with the
referring physician.
ANS: A REF: 9
7. Which of the following is the intention behind the ALARA concept?
a. To keep radiation exposure and consequent dose at the highest possible level
b. To keep radiation exposure and consequent dose at an average level
c. To keep radiation exposure and consequent dose at the lowest possible level
d. To avoid the use of ionizing radiation in radiologic practice
ANS: C REF: 5
8. The basic principles of radiation protection include which of the following?
1. Time
2. Distance
3. Shielding
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: D REF: 5
9. In a hospital setting, which of the following professionals is expressly charged by the hospital
administration to be directly responsible for the execution, enforcement, and maintenance of
the ALARA program?
a. Assistant administrator of the facility
b. Chief of staff
c. Radiation Safety Officer
d. Student radiologic technologist
ANS: C REF: 8
, ANSWERSHEET
10. Why is a question about the amount of radiation a patient will receive during a specific x-ray
procedure difficult to answer?
1. Because the received dose is measured in a number of different units
2. Because scientific units for radiation dose are not comprehensible by the patient
3. Because the patient should not receive any information about radiation dose
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: A REF: 9
11. X-rays are a form of which of the following kinds of radiation?
a. Environmental
b. Ionizing
c. Internal
d. Nonionizing
ANS: B REF: 2
12. The radiographer must answer patient questions about the potential risk of radiation exposure:
a. abruptly to discourage the patient from asking any other questions.
b. evasively so as not to reveal any information about radiation risk.
c. honestly and in understandable terms.
d. with technical terms.
ANS: C REF: 9
13. Radiation phobia can be greatly reduced by explaining the diagnostic radiation dose to the
patient by using the:
a. ALARA method.
b. BERT method.
c. ORP method.
d. TRACE method.
ANS: B REF: 10
14. Which of the following provides the basis for determining whether an imaging procedure or
practice is justified?
a. ALARA program
b. BERT method
c. Efficacy
d. TRACE program
ANS: C REF: 4
15. Which of the following is a method of explaining radiation to the public?
a. ALARA
b. BERT
c. ORP
d. Standardized dose reporting
, ANSWERSHEET
ANS: B REF: 10
16. Some ways of providing education for non-radiologist physicians who perform fluoroscopic
procedures can include:
1. creating increased awareness of radiation dose for specific procedures through discussion.
2. establishing goals for lowering radiation dose for patients, assisting personnel, and
themselves.
3. radiographers helping physicians performing fluoroscopic procedures by informing them
that they have reached a specific dose, thereby giving fluoroscopists the opportunity to decide
to continue or stop a procedure.
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: D REF: 11
17. Some ways of providing education for imaging department staff are:
1. providing in-service education on various radiation safety topics to accommodate
individual needs of staff members.
2. handing out a facts-to-remember sheet at the end of an in-service program.
3. e-mailing the most important topics covered in a staff in-service program to imaging staff
members to help reinforce and retain vital information.
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: D REF: 11
18. The TRACE program creates:
a. an analysis of radiation dose.
b. greater awareness of radiation dose.
c. a system of radiation dose reporting.
d. a means for determining radiation dose in fluoroscopic procedures.
ANS: B REF: 11
19. Typically, people are more willing to accept a risk if they perceive that the potential benefit to
be obtained is:
a. greater than the risk involved.
b. equal to the risk involved.
c. less than the risk involved.
d. typically, people are not willing to accept risk no matter how great the benefit may
be.
ANS: A REF: 8
20. Which of the following statements below is true?
a. It appears that no safe dose level exists for radiation-induced malignant disease.
b. The ALARA method establishes a dose level for radiation-induced malignancy.
c. The BERT method establishes a dose level for radiation-induced malignancy.
, ANSWERSHEET
d. The TRACE method establishes a dose level for radiation-induced malignancy.
ANS: A REF: 5
21. The ALARA principle provides a method for comparing the amount of radiation used in
various health care facilities in a particular area for specific imaging procedures. This
information may be helpful to many:
a. accrediting bodies.
b. advisory groups.
c. radiation standards organizations.
d. regulatory agencies.
ANS: D REF: 5
22. The term as low as reasonable achievable (ALARA) is synonymous with the term:
a. background equivalent radiation time (BERT).
b. equivalent dose (EqD).
c. diagnostic efficacy.
d. optimization for radiation protection (ORP).
ANS: D REF: 5
23. Diagnostic efficacy includes:
1. imaging procedure or practice justified by the referring physician.
2. minimal radiation exposure used.
3. optimal image(s) produced.
4. presence or absence of disease revealed.
a. 1, 2, and 3 only
b. 1, 2, and 4 only
c. 2, 3, and 4 only
d. 1, 2, 3, and 4
ANS: D REF: 5
24. The TRACE program consists of:
1. rewriting regulatory standards.
2. formulating new policies and procedures to promote radiation safety and the
implementation of patient and community awareness.
3. technologic enhancements.
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: C REF: 10
25. Effective protective measures take into consideration:
1. both human and environmental physical determinants.
2. technical elements.
3. procedural factors.
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
, ANSWERSHEET
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: D REF: 3
, ANSWERSHEET
Chapter 02: Radiation: Types, Sources, and Doses Received
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When natural sources of ionizing radiation become increased because of accidental or
deliberate human actions such as mining, they are referred to as:
a. artificial sources.
b. enhanced natural sources.
c. extraterrestrial sources.
d. manmade sources.
ANS: B REF: 21
2. Electromagnetic radiation can travel through space in the form of a wave but can also interact
with matter as a particle of energy. This dual nature is referred to as:
a. wave attenuation capability.
b. wave-particle interchange ability.
c. wave-particle duality.
d. wave-particle phenomena.
ANS: C REF: 16
3. Which of the following statements concerning the 1979 nuclear reactor accident at TMI-2 is
not true?
a. Excess cancer deaths have been predicted to occur in the 2 million people living
within 50 miles of the plant at the time of the accident.
b. Excess cancer deaths have not been predicted to occur in the 2 million people
living within 50 miles of the plant at the time of the accident.
c. The equivalent dose (EqD) received by 2 million people living in the vicinity of
the nuclear reactor at the time of the accident was 0.02 mSv.
d. No melt-through of the reactor vessel occurred during the accident.
ANS: A REF: 28
4. Terrestrial radiation includes which of the following sources?
a. Long-lived radioactive elements such as uranium-238, radium-226, and thorium-
232 that are present in variable quantities in the crust of the earth
b. Radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons tests in which detonation occurred
above ground
c. The sun and other stars
d. Video display terminals and television receivers
ANS: A REF: 21
5. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon levels in homes should not
exceed what level?
a. 200 pCi/L
b. 135 pCi/L
c. 47 pCi/L
, ANSWERSHEET
d. 4 pCi/L
ANS: D REF: 23
6. Cosmic radiation occurs in which two forms?
a. Solar and manmade
b. Artificial and galactic
c. Natural background and artificial
d. Solar and galactic
ANS: D REF: 21
7. The FDA presently considers the risk of radiation exposure to the U.S. population from color
television monitors to be:
a. substantial.
b. moderate.
c. very slight.
d. negligible.
ANS: D REF: 25
8. Through which of the following routes can radon enter houses?
1. Crawl spaces under living areas
2. Floor drains and sump pumps
3. Porous cement block foundations
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: D REF: 22
9. Acute melting of the uranium dioxide fuel of a nuclear reactor core requires how great a
temperature?
a. Less than 500° F
b. At least 1000° F
c. 2000° F
d. Greater than 5000° F
ANS: D REF: 27
10. When exposed to high radon levels in the home, which of the following groups of people have
the highest risk of developing lung cancer?
a. Infants
b. Toddlers
c. Nonsmokers
d. Smokers
ANS: D REF: 23
11. Which of the following helps shield the global population from exposure to essentially all
high-energy, bombarding cosmic rays?
a. Clouds
Complete Test Bank Radiation
Protection in Medical
Radiography 9th Edition by
Sherer (Chapter 1-16)
Chapter 01: Introduction to Radiation Protection
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Some consequences of ionization in human cells include:
1. creation of unstable atoms.
2. production of free electrons.
3. creation of reactive free radicals capable of producing substances poisonous to the cell.
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: D REF: 2
2. Which of the following is a special form of radiation that is capable of creating electrically
charged particles by removing orbital electrons from the atom of the material with which it
interacts?
a. Ionizing radiation
b. Nonionizing radiation
c. Subatomic radiation
d. Ultrasonic radiation
ANS: A REF: 2
3. Patients who have an understanding of the medical benefits of an imaging procedure because
they received factual information about the study before having the examination are more
likely to:
a. assume a small risk of biologic damage but not overcome any radiation phobia
they may have.
b. cancel their scheduled procedure because they are not willing to assume a small
risk of biologic damage.
c. overcome any radiation phobia but not assume a small risk of possible biologic
damage.
d. overcome any radiation phobia and be willing to assume a small risk of possible
biologic damage.
ANS: D REF: 8
4. The millisievert (mSv) is equal to:
a. 1/10 of a sievert.
b. 1/100 of a sievert.
c. 1/1000 of a sievert.
d. 1/10,000 of a sievert.
, ANSWERSHEET
ANS: C REF: 9
5. The advantages of the BERT method are:
1. it does not imply radiation risk; it is simply a means for comparison.
, ANSWERSHEET
2. it emphasizes that radiation is an innate part of our environment.
3. the answer given in terms of BERT is easy for the patient to comprehend.
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: D REF: 9
6. If a patient asks a radiographer a question about the potential risk of radiation exposure
associated with a specific x-ray procedure, the radiographer should:
a. use his or her intelligence and knowledge to answer the question honestly and
provide a suitable example that compares the amount of radiation received from
the procedure in question with natural background radiation received over a given
period of time.
b. avoid the patient’s question by changing the subject.
c. tell the patient that it is unethical to discuss such concerns.
d. refuse to answer the question and recommend that he or she speak with the
referring physician.
ANS: A REF: 9
7. Which of the following is the intention behind the ALARA concept?
a. To keep radiation exposure and consequent dose at the highest possible level
b. To keep radiation exposure and consequent dose at an average level
c. To keep radiation exposure and consequent dose at the lowest possible level
d. To avoid the use of ionizing radiation in radiologic practice
ANS: C REF: 5
8. The basic principles of radiation protection include which of the following?
1. Time
2. Distance
3. Shielding
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: D REF: 5
9. In a hospital setting, which of the following professionals is expressly charged by the hospital
administration to be directly responsible for the execution, enforcement, and maintenance of
the ALARA program?
a. Assistant administrator of the facility
b. Chief of staff
c. Radiation Safety Officer
d. Student radiologic technologist
ANS: C REF: 8
, ANSWERSHEET
10. Why is a question about the amount of radiation a patient will receive during a specific x-ray
procedure difficult to answer?
1. Because the received dose is measured in a number of different units
2. Because scientific units for radiation dose are not comprehensible by the patient
3. Because the patient should not receive any information about radiation dose
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: A REF: 9
11. X-rays are a form of which of the following kinds of radiation?
a. Environmental
b. Ionizing
c. Internal
d. Nonionizing
ANS: B REF: 2
12. The radiographer must answer patient questions about the potential risk of radiation exposure:
a. abruptly to discourage the patient from asking any other questions.
b. evasively so as not to reveal any information about radiation risk.
c. honestly and in understandable terms.
d. with technical terms.
ANS: C REF: 9
13. Radiation phobia can be greatly reduced by explaining the diagnostic radiation dose to the
patient by using the:
a. ALARA method.
b. BERT method.
c. ORP method.
d. TRACE method.
ANS: B REF: 10
14. Which of the following provides the basis for determining whether an imaging procedure or
practice is justified?
a. ALARA program
b. BERT method
c. Efficacy
d. TRACE program
ANS: C REF: 4
15. Which of the following is a method of explaining radiation to the public?
a. ALARA
b. BERT
c. ORP
d. Standardized dose reporting
, ANSWERSHEET
ANS: B REF: 10
16. Some ways of providing education for non-radiologist physicians who perform fluoroscopic
procedures can include:
1. creating increased awareness of radiation dose for specific procedures through discussion.
2. establishing goals for lowering radiation dose for patients, assisting personnel, and
themselves.
3. radiographers helping physicians performing fluoroscopic procedures by informing them
that they have reached a specific dose, thereby giving fluoroscopists the opportunity to decide
to continue or stop a procedure.
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: D REF: 11
17. Some ways of providing education for imaging department staff are:
1. providing in-service education on various radiation safety topics to accommodate
individual needs of staff members.
2. handing out a facts-to-remember sheet at the end of an in-service program.
3. e-mailing the most important topics covered in a staff in-service program to imaging staff
members to help reinforce and retain vital information.
a. 1 only
b. 2 only
c. 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: D REF: 11
18. The TRACE program creates:
a. an analysis of radiation dose.
b. greater awareness of radiation dose.
c. a system of radiation dose reporting.
d. a means for determining radiation dose in fluoroscopic procedures.
ANS: B REF: 11
19. Typically, people are more willing to accept a risk if they perceive that the potential benefit to
be obtained is:
a. greater than the risk involved.
b. equal to the risk involved.
c. less than the risk involved.
d. typically, people are not willing to accept risk no matter how great the benefit may
be.
ANS: A REF: 8
20. Which of the following statements below is true?
a. It appears that no safe dose level exists for radiation-induced malignant disease.
b. The ALARA method establishes a dose level for radiation-induced malignancy.
c. The BERT method establishes a dose level for radiation-induced malignancy.
, ANSWERSHEET
d. The TRACE method establishes a dose level for radiation-induced malignancy.
ANS: A REF: 5
21. The ALARA principle provides a method for comparing the amount of radiation used in
various health care facilities in a particular area for specific imaging procedures. This
information may be helpful to many:
a. accrediting bodies.
b. advisory groups.
c. radiation standards organizations.
d. regulatory agencies.
ANS: D REF: 5
22. The term as low as reasonable achievable (ALARA) is synonymous with the term:
a. background equivalent radiation time (BERT).
b. equivalent dose (EqD).
c. diagnostic efficacy.
d. optimization for radiation protection (ORP).
ANS: D REF: 5
23. Diagnostic efficacy includes:
1. imaging procedure or practice justified by the referring physician.
2. minimal radiation exposure used.
3. optimal image(s) produced.
4. presence or absence of disease revealed.
a. 1, 2, and 3 only
b. 1, 2, and 4 only
c. 2, 3, and 4 only
d. 1, 2, 3, and 4
ANS: D REF: 5
24. The TRACE program consists of:
1. rewriting regulatory standards.
2. formulating new policies and procedures to promote radiation safety and the
implementation of patient and community awareness.
3. technologic enhancements.
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: C REF: 10
25. Effective protective measures take into consideration:
1. both human and environmental physical determinants.
2. technical elements.
3. procedural factors.
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
, ANSWERSHEET
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: D REF: 3
, ANSWERSHEET
Chapter 02: Radiation: Types, Sources, and Doses Received
Test Bank
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. When natural sources of ionizing radiation become increased because of accidental or
deliberate human actions such as mining, they are referred to as:
a. artificial sources.
b. enhanced natural sources.
c. extraterrestrial sources.
d. manmade sources.
ANS: B REF: 21
2. Electromagnetic radiation can travel through space in the form of a wave but can also interact
with matter as a particle of energy. This dual nature is referred to as:
a. wave attenuation capability.
b. wave-particle interchange ability.
c. wave-particle duality.
d. wave-particle phenomena.
ANS: C REF: 16
3. Which of the following statements concerning the 1979 nuclear reactor accident at TMI-2 is
not true?
a. Excess cancer deaths have been predicted to occur in the 2 million people living
within 50 miles of the plant at the time of the accident.
b. Excess cancer deaths have not been predicted to occur in the 2 million people
living within 50 miles of the plant at the time of the accident.
c. The equivalent dose (EqD) received by 2 million people living in the vicinity of
the nuclear reactor at the time of the accident was 0.02 mSv.
d. No melt-through of the reactor vessel occurred during the accident.
ANS: A REF: 28
4. Terrestrial radiation includes which of the following sources?
a. Long-lived radioactive elements such as uranium-238, radium-226, and thorium-
232 that are present in variable quantities in the crust of the earth
b. Radioactive fallout from nuclear weapons tests in which detonation occurred
above ground
c. The sun and other stars
d. Video display terminals and television receivers
ANS: A REF: 21
5. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon levels in homes should not
exceed what level?
a. 200 pCi/L
b. 135 pCi/L
c. 47 pCi/L
, ANSWERSHEET
d. 4 pCi/L
ANS: D REF: 23
6. Cosmic radiation occurs in which two forms?
a. Solar and manmade
b. Artificial and galactic
c. Natural background and artificial
d. Solar and galactic
ANS: D REF: 21
7. The FDA presently considers the risk of radiation exposure to the U.S. population from color
television monitors to be:
a. substantial.
b. moderate.
c. very slight.
d. negligible.
ANS: D REF: 25
8. Through which of the following routes can radon enter houses?
1. Crawl spaces under living areas
2. Floor drains and sump pumps
3. Porous cement block foundations
a. 1 and 2 only
b. 1 and 3 only
c. 2 and 3 only
d. 1, 2, and 3
ANS: D REF: 22
9. Acute melting of the uranium dioxide fuel of a nuclear reactor core requires how great a
temperature?
a. Less than 500° F
b. At least 1000° F
c. 2000° F
d. Greater than 5000° F
ANS: D REF: 27
10. When exposed to high radon levels in the home, which of the following groups of people have
the highest risk of developing lung cancer?
a. Infants
b. Toddlers
c. Nonsmokers
d. Smokers
ANS: D REF: 23
11. Which of the following helps shield the global population from exposure to essentially all
high-energy, bombarding cosmic rays?
a. Clouds
