On a lateral thoracic spine, the radiographer asks the patient to breathe shallowly during a long exposure. The aim is to:

Blur the lung markings over the vertebrae

Reduce the heel effect across the long part

Shorten the exposure time needed for the film

Increase the magnification of the vertebrae

On a normal AP pelvis in a non-trauma patient, the feet are internally rotated by about 15 to 20 degrees to:

Show the femoral necks without foreshortening

Show the sacrum better by tilting the pelvis forward

Reduce the exposure needed for a thick pelvis

Open the sacroiliac joints in the AP view

Positioning of chest, abdomen and skeleton

75 Gulf Prometric Radiographer (DHA, DOH, MOH, SCFHS, QCHP) practice questions on Positioning of chest, abdomen and skeleton, part of Radiography and Positioning. 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 · Hard
At 1 metre from a mobile X-ray tube, scatter radiation is 120 microgray per exposure. What is the approximate scatter at the radiographer's position 3 metres away, assuming the inverse square law?
1. AAbout 13 microgray
2. BAbout 40 microgray
3. CAbout 360 microgray
4. DAbout 4 microgray
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Answer: A · About 13 microgray
Intensity falls with the square of the distance. At 3 metres the factor is 1/9, so 120 / 9 = about 13 microgray. A lead apron lowers the dose further.
- B: 40 uses 1/3 and ignores the squared term.
- C: 360 multiplies instead of dividing.
- D: 4 divides by 27, using a cube.
Remember this
Intensity falls with the square of the distance.
Question 2 · Medium
After a fall onto the shoulder, a patient cannot lift the arm. To show the position of the humeral head relative to the glenoid, the radiographer takes an AP and a:
1. ALordotic view
2. BScapular Y lateral view
3. CSkyline view
4. DSwimmer's view
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Answer: B · Scapular Y lateral view
The scapular Y view is a true lateral of the scapula and can be taken with the patient standing with no arm movement. It shows whether the humeral head is anterior or posterior to the glenoid. The other views are for other regions.
- A: The lordotic view is a chest projection for the apices.
- C: The skyline projection is for the patella.
- D: The swimmer's view is for the cervicothoracic junction.
Remember this
The scapular Y view is a true lateral of the scapula and can be taken with the patient standing with no arm movement.
Question 3 · Medium
On a lateral thoracic spine, the radiographer asks the patient to breathe shallowly during a long exposure. The aim is to:
1. AReduce the heel effect across the long part
2. BShorten the exposure time needed for the film
3. CIncrease the magnification of the vertebrae
4. DBlur the lung markings over the vertebrae
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Answer: D · Blur the lung markings over the vertebrae
The moving lung and rib markings blur and the stationary vertebrae stay sharp. This improves the visibility of the thoracic vertebral bodies. A long time with a low mA is used.
- A: The heel effect is unrelated to breathing.
- B: The technique needs a longer, not shorter, exposure.
- C: Breathing does not alter magnification.
Remember this
The moving lung and rib markings blur and the stationary vertebrae stay sharp.
Question 4 · Medium
On a normal AP pelvis in a non-trauma patient, the feet are internally rotated by about 15 to 20 degrees to:
1. AShow the sacrum better by tilting the pelvis forward
2. BShow the femoral necks without foreshortening
3. CReduce the exposure needed for a thick pelvis
4. DOpen the sacroiliac joints in the AP view
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Answer: B · Show the femoral necks without foreshortening
Internal rotation of 15 to 20 degrees brings the femoral necks parallel to the receptor, so they are seen at full length. External rotation foreshortens the necks and shows the lesser trochanters. This is not done when a fracture is suspected.
- A: The sacrum needs an angled beam.
- C: Rotation has no effect on the exposure.
- D: Sacroiliac joints need an oblique or axial view.
Remember this
Internal rotation of 15 to 20 degrees brings the femoral necks parallel to the receptor, so they are seen at full length.
Question 5 · Medium
A knee AP image shows the tibial plateaus as a clearly open joint space and the fibular head partly overlapped by the tibia. This indicates:
1. AA correct AP position
2. BA motion error
3. CA beam angle error
4. DThe leg is rotated laterally
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Answer: A · A correct AP position
On a correct AP knee, the femoral and tibial condyles are symmetrical, the joint space is open and the fibular head is overlapped by about half by the tibia. Too much or too little overlap shows rotation. The beam angle is chosen by part thickness.
- B: Motion produces blur, not an overlap pattern.
- C: An angle error closes the joint space.
- D: Rotation changes the overlap of the fibular head.
Remember this
A correct AP knee shows symmetrical condyles, an open joint and about half of the fibular head overlapped.
Question 6 · Medium
For an AP forearm, the hand is fully supinated. What happens on the image if the hand is pronated instead?
1. AThe radius crosses over the ulna
2. BThe radius and ulna separate fully
3. CThe elbow joint opens more widely
4. DThe wrist joint is shown in profile
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 7 · Easy
Rib radiographs of the area above the diaphragm are taken on:
1. AQuiet breathing
2. BFull expiration
3. CShallow breathing during a long exposure
4. DFull inspiration
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 8 · Easy
A PA chest radiograph is judged to have been taken with a good inspiration when the lungs show:
1. AOnly 4 anterior ribs above the diaphragm
2. BAbout 6 posterior ribs above the diaphragm
3. CClavicles above the lung apices
4. DAt least 10 posterior ribs above the diaphragm
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 9 · Medium
A grid is not used for a supine abdomen of a thin infant because:
1. AInfants move too much for a grid to work
2. BScatter is low and a grid would add dose
3. CThe grid lines would be seen on the film
4. DThe department policy bans grids on babies
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 10 · Medium
An AP lumbar spine needs the knees and hips flexed. The main reason is to:
1. AFlatten the lumbar curve against the table
2. BRotate the pelvis to open the joints
3. CIncrease the lordosis to open the disc spaces
4. DShow the sacrum without using a tube angle
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 11 · Medium
A weight-bearing AP projection of both knees is requested for osteoarthritis. The main reason for weight bearing is to:
1. AShow true joint space narrowing under load
2. BMake the positioning easier for the patient
3. CShow the patella without a skyline view
4. DReduce the dose to the patient with a short exposure
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 12 · Medium
For a mediolateral knee on an adult, the central ray is angled 5 to 7 degrees cephalad. What is the purpose of this angle?
1. ATo open the patellofemoral joint space
2. BTo show the intercondylar fossa in profile
3. CTo project the fibular head clear of the tibia
4. DTo superimpose the medial and lateral femoral condyles
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 13 · Easy
On a lateral elbow radiograph, the elbow is positioned flexed to:
1. A45 degrees
2. B180 degrees
3. C20 degrees
4. D90 degrees
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 14 · Medium
A transthoracic lateral humerus is taken to avoid moving the arm. Which breathing technique blurs the lung and rib markings?
1. ARapid panting during a very short exposure
2. BA held full inspiration at the exposure
3. CA held full expiration at the exposure
4. DQuiet breathing with a long exposure
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 15 · Hard
A patient needs a lower rib series for left-sided pain below the diaphragm. Which set is most appropriate?
1. AA lateral thoracic spine view only for the ribs
2. BAP ribs on full inspiration, with no other views
3. CAP and oblique ribs on expiration, plus a PA chest
4. DA single left lateral chest view taken on inspiration
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 16 · Medium
A patient has a painful right lower rib injury. For an AP oblique projection of the ribs, how is the patient rotated?
1. ANo rotation
2. BRotated 90 degrees
3. CLeft side toward the receptor at 45 degrees
4. DRight side toward the receptor at 45 degrees
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 17 · Medium
Where is the central ray centred for a single AP supine abdomen (KUB) on an average adult?
1. AAt the iliac crest, in the midsagittal plane
2. BAt the symphysis pubis, in the midsagittal plane
3. CAt the xiphoid process, in the midsagittal plane
4. DAt the greater trochanter, midsagittal plane
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 18 · Hard
A lateral lumbar spine image shows that the intervertebral disc spaces are closed and the spine slopes down toward the table. What is the best correction for the repeat?
1. AAngle the tube 15 degrees cephalad
2. BPut a radiolucent pad under the waist
3. CRotate the patient forward by 10 degrees
4. DRaise the kVp to improve the penetration
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 19 · Easy
Which projection shows the odontoid process (dens) between the lateral masses of C1?
1. AAP axial cervical spine
2. BCervical oblique projection
3. CAP open-mouth projection
4. DLateral cervical spine
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 20 · Easy
In a lateral lumbar spine position, the patient lies on the side with the knees:
1. ARaised above the hips
2. BFlexed
3. CFully extended
4. DCrossed with the legs straight
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 21 · Medium
A frail patient lying on a trolley needs an AP chest. The radiographer notes that the patient cannot sit up. What should be recorded on the image?
1. ANothing
2. BThe position and an AP supine marker
3. CThat the exam was a PA
4. DOnly the date
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 22 · Medium
A scoliosis series in an adolescent girl is done PA erect rather than AP mainly to:
1. AMake the exposure longer
2. BRemove the need for collimation
3. CIncrease magnification of the spine
4. DReduce the dose to the breasts and the thyroid
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 23 · Medium
Which finding on a lateral ankle shows the correct position?
1. AThe fibula projected clear of the tibia, with no overlap
2. BThe talus lying well away from the tibia
3. CThe fibula lying in front of the tibia
4. DThe fibula over the posterior half of the tibia
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 24 · Medium
On the lateral decubitus position for free air, a radiographer places the patient on the left side. The right side is up so that air collects:
1. AAlong the left flank, on the lower side
2. BIn the pelvis, above the bladder
3. COver the liver, away from stomach gas
4. DOver the spleen, beside the stomach gas
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account
Question 25 · Medium
An unconscious patient with a suspected hip fracture needs a lateral hip. The radiographer takes a cross-table lateral (Danelius-Miller). What is done with the unaffected leg?
1. AIt is flexed and raised out of the beam
2. BIt is left lying under the affected hip
3. CIt is held by the radiographer on the beam path
4. DIt is externally rotated against the table
Answer and explanation in LearnFree account

50 more Positioning of chest, abdomen and skeleton questions

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Positioning of chest, abdomen and skeleton

At 1 metre from a mobile X-ray tube, scatter radiation is 120 microgray per exposure. What is the approximate scatter at the radiographer's position 3 metres away, assuming the inverse square law?

After a fall onto the shoulder, a patient cannot lift the arm. To show the position of the humeral head relative to the glenoid, the radiographer takes an AP and a:

On a lateral thoracic spine, the radiographer asks the patient to breathe shallowly during a long exposure. The aim is to:

On a normal AP pelvis in a non-trauma patient, the feet are internally rotated by about 15 to 20 degrees to:

A knee AP image shows the tibial plateaus as a clearly open joint space and the fibular head partly overlapped by the tibia. This indicates:

For an AP forearm, the hand is fully supinated. What happens on the image if the hand is pronated instead?

Rib radiographs of the area above the diaphragm are taken on:

A PA chest radiograph is judged to have been taken with a good inspiration when the lungs show:

A grid is not used for a supine abdomen of a thin infant because:

An AP lumbar spine needs the knees and hips flexed. The main reason is to:

A weight-bearing AP projection of both knees is requested for osteoarthritis. The main reason for weight bearing is to:

For a mediolateral knee on an adult, the central ray is angled 5 to 7 degrees cephalad. What is the purpose of this angle?

On a lateral elbow radiograph, the elbow is positioned flexed to:

A transthoracic lateral humerus is taken to avoid moving the arm. Which breathing technique blurs the lung and rib markings?

A patient needs a lower rib series for left-sided pain below the diaphragm. Which set is most appropriate?

A patient has a painful right lower rib injury. For an AP oblique projection of the ribs, how is the patient rotated?

Where is the central ray centred for a single AP supine abdomen (KUB) on an average adult?

A lateral lumbar spine image shows that the intervertebral disc spaces are closed and the spine slopes down toward the table. What is the best correction for the repeat?

Which projection shows the odontoid process (dens) between the lateral masses of C1?

In a lateral lumbar spine position, the patient lies on the side with the knees:

A frail patient lying on a trolley needs an AP chest. The radiographer notes that the patient cannot sit up. What should be recorded on the image?

A scoliosis series in an adolescent girl is done PA erect rather than AP mainly to:

Which finding on a lateral ankle shows the correct position?

On the lateral decubitus position for free air, a radiographer places the patient on the left side. The right side is up so that air collects:

An unconscious patient with a suspected hip fracture needs a lateral hip. The radiographer takes a cross-table lateral (Danelius-Miller). What is done with the unaffected leg?