A request for a CT is received from a person who is not an authorised referrer. The radiographer should:

Wait for a request from an authorised referrer

Perform it now and add the request later

Perform it as a favour to the colleague

Perform it at half the usual dose

Before an IV contrast CT, the radiographer's explanation to the patient should include:

What will be done, the warm feeling and reactions

Only the cost of the contrast medium

Nothing at all, since the scan is routine

Only the expected duration of the scan

After a normal chest radiograph, a patient asks the radiographer to delete the images because she does not want them on record. What is the correct response?

Explain records must be kept by law, and refer the request

Agree, and ask the PACS team to remove them that day

Delete them only once the radiologist confirms it is normal

Delete the images, as the patient owns her own records

A competent adult refuses to have an examination after the risks and benefits were explained. The radiographer should:

Respect it, document it and tell the referring clinician

Persuade the patient by warning of legal action

Ask a relative to sign the form for the patient

Proceed anyway because the doctor ordered the study

The patient's name on the request form differs from the name on the wristband. The radiographer should:

Stop and confirm identity with the referring ward

Go ahead using the name on the request alone

Correct the form without checking with anyone

Go ahead using the name on the wristband alone

Communication, consent, ethics and quality

49 Gulf Prometric Radiographer (DHA, DOH, MOH, SCFHS, QCHP) practice questions on Communication, consent, ethics and quality, part of Patient Care, Safety and Ethics. The first 25 are below; the first 5 with answers and explanations (tap Show answer after you have chosen), the rest in Learn with a free account.

Question 1 · Medium
A request for a CT is received from a person who is not an authorised referrer. The radiographer should:
1. APerform it now and add the request later
2. BPerform it as a favour to the colleague
3. CPerform it at half the usual dose
4. DWait for a request from an authorised referrer
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Answer: D · Wait for a request from an authorised referrer
Only authorised referrers may request exposures, so that justification is done by a competent person. Examinations without it are not justified. The radiographer asks for a valid request.
- A: Retrospective requests are not acceptable.
- B: Favours bypass justification.
- C: A reduced dose does not make it justified.
Remember this
Only authorised referrers can request exposures.
Question 2 · Medium
Before an IV contrast CT, the radiographer's explanation to the patient should include:
1. AWhat will be done, the warm feeling and reactions
2. BOnly the cost of the contrast medium
3. CNothing at all, since the scan is routine
4. DOnly the expected duration of the scan
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Answer: A · What will be done, the warm feeling and reactions
Patients are told about the injection, the warm sensation, and the small risk of reaction, and they are asked about allergies, asthma, kidney disease and metformin. Good explanation also reduces anxiety and movement. Consent follows the local policy.
- B: Cost is not a safety issue.
- C: Silence defeats informed consent.
- D: Time alone is not enough information.
Remember this
Explain the injection, the warm feeling and possible reactions before contrast.
Question 3 · Hard
After a normal chest radiograph, a patient asks the radiographer to delete the images because she does not want them on record. What is the correct response?
1. AAgree, and ask the PACS team to remove them that day
2. BDelete them only once the radiologist confirms it is normal
3. CExplain records must be kept by law, and refer the request
4. DDelete the images, as the patient owns her own records
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Answer: C · Explain records must be kept by law, and refer the request
Medical images form part of the health record, which the hospital must keep for a set period under law and policy. A patient can request access to, or a copy of, her records, but staff cannot delete them on request. The radiographer explains this politely and passes the request to the records or data protection officer.
- A: Removing images on request breaks the retention rules.
- B: A normal result does not remove the duty to keep the record.
- D: The patient has a right of access, but the hospital must keep the record.
Remember this
Imaging records are retained by law; patients may access them, but staff do not delete them on request.
Question 4 · Medium
A competent adult refuses to have an examination after the risks and benefits were explained. The radiographer should:
1. APersuade the patient by warning of legal action
2. BRespect it, document it and tell the referring clinician
3. CAsk a relative to sign the form for the patient
4. DProceed anyway because the doctor ordered the study
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B · Respect it, document it and tell the referring clinician
A competent adult has the right to refuse. The radiographer respects it, makes sure the person understands the consequences, records the refusal and tells the referrer. Forcing the exam is assault.
- A: Threats are unethical.
- C: A relative cannot override a competent adult.
- D: A doctor's request does not override the patient's refusal.
Remember this
A competent adult may refuse; respect it, document it and tell the referrer.
Question 5 · Medium
The patient's name on the request form differs from the name on the wristband. The radiographer should:
1. AGo ahead using the name on the request alone
2. BCorrect the form without checking with anyone
3. CStop and confirm identity with the referring ward
4. DGo ahead using the name on the wristband alone
Show answerHide answer
Answer: C · Stop and confirm identity with the referring ward
A mismatch must be resolved before any exposure, by checking with the ward or referrer and correcting the documents properly. Proceeding risks a wrong-patient examination. The event is reported if it was an error.
- A: The form may be the one that is wrong.
- B: Changing the form without verification hides the problem.
- D: Trusting either source without checking risks error.
Remember this
Resolve identity mismatches before any exposure.
Question 6 · Easy
The anatomical side marker (right or left) should be placed:
1. AOutside the image field so it cannot hide anatomy
2. BWritten by hand on the printed film afterwards
3. CAdded on the workstation after processing only
4. DIn the primary beam, on the receptor, before exposure
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 7 · Medium
An unconscious trauma patient is brought to the emergency department and needs an urgent CT head. No relative is present. Consent is:
1. ASigned by the radiographer on behalf of the patient
2. BImplied in an emergency, in the patient's best interests
3. CRequested from any bystander who happens to be near
4. DImpossible, so the scan must wait until a relative comes
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 8 · Easy
A patient who speaks only Arabic is to be examined by a radiographer who does not speak Arabic. The best approach is to:
1. AAsk the patient to sign a form in English
2. BUse a qualified interpreter
3. CUse gestures only
4. DProceed without explaining
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 9 · Medium
A friend who is a nurse asks a radiographer to look up the report of a neighbour, out of concern. The radiographer should:
1. ADecline, as the friend has no role in care
2. BShare only the diagnosis and nothing else
3. CPrint the report and hand it over to her
4. DShare the report with her verbally
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 10 · Medium
A patient asks for a copy of their images on a disc. The radiographer should:
1. ASend it to a personal email address
2. BRefuse in all cases, without exceptions
3. CFollow policy and verify the patient's identity
4. DHand it over to anyone who asks for it
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 11 · Medium
A request asks for a CT lumbar spine in a 20-year-old with mild back pain and no red flags. The radiographer's appropriate action is to:
1. ARefuse without any discussion with the doctor
2. BScan at once, since the request is signed
3. CScan at a dose of zero to avoid any risk
4. DQuery justification with the radiologist or referrer
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 12 · Hard
A DR system shows an exposure index of 400 for a target EI of 200. The deviation index is about:
1. A-3.0, half of the target
2. B+6.0, four times the target
3. C+3.0
4. D+2.0, about 1.6 times the target
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 13 · Easy
The justification principle of radiation protection states that an exposure should be performed only if:
1. AThe cost of the examination is kept low
2. BThe patient has personally asked for the study
3. CThe benefit to the patient outweighs the risk
4. DThe equipment is free and the room is available
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 14 · Easy
Which of the following is an open question when taking a history from a patient?
1. AHave you had this pain before?
2. BIs the pain in your left knee?
3. CHow has the pain changed since yesterday?
4. DDid you take your tablets today?
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 15 · Medium
An asymptomatic patient asks for a whole-body CT for screening. The radiographer should:
1. ADo the scan at a low dose to reduce risk
2. BExplain it needs clinical justification by a doctor
3. CDo the scan, since the patient will pay
4. DIgnore the patient and say nothing further
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 16 · Easy
For consent to an examination to be valid, the patient must be:
1. ASedated before being asked to agree
2. BUnder the age of 18 years at the time
3. CAccompanied by a relative at the time
4. DInformed, competent and acting voluntarily
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 17 · Hard
In a month, a room made 1,200 exposures and 96 images were rejected. The reject rate is:
1. A1.25%
2. B10%
3. C8%
4. D12%
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 18 · Medium
A no-blame (just culture) approach to incident reporting is intended to:
1. AEncourage staff to report so the system can learn
2. BRemove all responsibility from individual staff
3. CPunish every error with equal severity
4. DAvoid any record of the errors that occur
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 19 · Medium
A final pre-exposure check (time-out) for a procedure includes:
1. AOnly the kVp chosen for the examination
2. BRight patient, exam, side, pregnancy status, allergies
3. COnly the number of the room in use
4. DOnly the age and sex of the patient being scanned, as shown on the form
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 20 · Hard
After a new detector is installed in room 2, its reject rate rises from 6% to 14%, mainly for exposure errors. The best next step is:
1. AIgnore the change as it is probably temporary
2. BBlame the radiographers for careless technique and ask for a written warning
3. CReview indices and charts; have detector calibration checked
4. DClose every X-ray room until it is solved
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 21 · Medium
A radiographer notices that a left-side marker was used for a right-sided injury after the image was taken. The correct action is to:
1. AReport it, correct the record, repeat only if needed
2. BIgnore it because the image is otherwise good
3. CEdit the marker on the workstation without telling
4. DDelete the image from the archive and retake it
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 22 · Hard
Under the ICRP system, the check that a requested examination is appropriate for this particular patient is which level of justification?
1. ALevel 3, the individual patient
2. BLevel 1, the use of radiation in medicine
3. CLevel 2, a specified procedure
4. DLevel 4, the equipment
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 23 · Medium
During a sensitive examination, offering a chaperone is intended to:
1. ASpeed up the study and shorten the room time
2. BReplace the need for informed consent
3. CReduce the radiation dose to the patient
4. DProtect the dignity and safety of patient and staff
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 24 · Easy
Patient confidentiality means that patient information is shared only with:
1. AFamily members who telephone and give the date of birth
2. BThose directly involved in care, or as law requires
3. CInsurance companies on request, without consent
4. DAny colleague in the department who asks, as they all work for the same hospital
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 25 · Medium
A repeat is needed because the technologist cut off the lateral costophrenic angle on a chest film. The correct way to handle it is to:
1. ABlame the patient for moving during exposure
2. BRepeat it quietly without telling anyone, so that the reject rate stays low
3. CRepeat it, log the reject and reason, and use it for audit
4. DSend the film on as it is without a repeat
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

24 more Communication, consent, ethics and quality questions

Answer them one by one, keep your score and see your weak topics in Learn. Signed-out visitors try 25 per exam; sign in with Google to see them all.

Study Patient Care, Safety and Ethics

Communication, consent, ethics and quality

A request for a CT is received from a person who is not an authorised referrer. The radiographer should:

Before an IV contrast CT, the radiographer's explanation to the patient should include:

After a normal chest radiograph, a patient asks the radiographer to delete the images because she does not want them on record. What is the correct response?

A competent adult refuses to have an examination after the risks and benefits were explained. The radiographer should:

The patient's name on the request form differs from the name on the wristband. The radiographer should:

The anatomical side marker (right or left) should be placed:

An unconscious trauma patient is brought to the emergency department and needs an urgent CT head. No relative is present. Consent is:

A patient who speaks only Arabic is to be examined by a radiographer who does not speak Arabic. The best approach is to:

A friend who is a nurse asks a radiographer to look up the report of a neighbour, out of concern. The radiographer should:

A patient asks for a copy of their images on a disc. The radiographer should:

A request asks for a CT lumbar spine in a 20-year-old with mild back pain and no red flags. The radiographer's appropriate action is to:

A DR system shows an exposure index of 400 for a target EI of 200. The deviation index is about:

The justification principle of radiation protection states that an exposure should be performed only if:

Which of the following is an open question when taking a history from a patient?

An asymptomatic patient asks for a whole-body CT for screening. The radiographer should:

For consent to an examination to be valid, the patient must be:

In a month, a room made 1,200 exposures and 96 images were rejected. The reject rate is:

A no-blame (just culture) approach to incident reporting is intended to:

A final pre-exposure check (time-out) for a procedure includes:

After a new detector is installed in room 2, its reject rate rises from 6% to 14%, mainly for exposure errors. The best next step is:

A radiographer notices that a left-side marker was used for a right-sided injury after the image was taken. The correct action is to:

Under the ICRP system, the check that a requested examination is appropriate for this particular patient is which level of justification?

During a sensitive examination, offering a chaperone is intended to:

Patient confidentiality means that patient information is shared only with:

A repeat is needed because the technologist cut off the lateral costophrenic angle on a chest film. The correct way to handle it is to: