HESI Radiography Test 1 Questions and
Correct Answers Graded A+| Latest Update
2026
Which procedure is an example of surgical asepsis?
A. Clean glove application.
B. Hand washing
C. Clean gown application
D. Surgical hand scrub. - Answer--D. Surgical hand scrub.
Asepsis is the absence of disease-producing (pathogenic) organisms. Surgical asepsis,
or sterile technique, includes procedures used to eliminate all microorganisms from an
area. Surgical hand scrub, sterile glove application, and sterile gown application are
examples of surgical asepsis.
A radiographer receives a request for a portable chest x-ray and then performs the x-ray
on the incorrect patient. Which legal term best describes the actions of the
radiographer?
A. Battery
B. Negligence
C. Assault
D. Invasion of privacy - Answer--A. Battery
Battery is defined as touching to which the victim has not consented. Performing a
procedure on the wrong patient may constitute grounds for a charge of battery.
,The lead radiographer is planning a strategy to efficiently manage the morning
workload. The department is short-staffed due to meetings, and four patients are now
ready for their examinations. Assuming that none of the exams is emergent, which
patient should be seen first?
A. An 54-year-old male with type 2 diabetes for an upper GI
B. A 18-year-old female for an intravenous urogram
C. An 83-year-old female for a chest x-ray
D. A two-year-old child for a barium swallow - Answer--D. A two-year-old child for a
barium swallow
An x-ray department should begin the day with patients who are fasting prior to their
examination. In this example, more than one of the patients is fasting, so the
radiographer must decide who goes first based on other factors. Since none of the
cases are emergent, consideration should be given to pediatric and geriatric patients
because they have the most difficulty being NPO for long periods of time.
Which type of contrast agent is preferred for low risk and low cost for a patient
diagnosed with a possible perforated bowel?
A. Barium sulfate suspension, flavored
B. Gaseous media in the form of crystals
C. Ionic, water soluble, diluted with juice
D. Nonionic, water soluble, diluted with juice - Answer--C. Ionic, water soluble, diluted
with juice
The least risk with the least cost would dictate ionic, water soluble media. Barium
should definitely be avoided, because of the risk of introducing contrast into the
peritoneum. Barium sulfate suspension might cause adhesions if it spills into the
peritoneum via a perforation. Gaseous media will not yield all of the information that
positive media will in this case.
A patient reports symptoms including itching, rash formation, and difficulty breathing
immediately following the administration of intravenous (IV) contrast media. Assuming
the patient has had no prior exposure to radiopaque contrast media, what is the most
likely cause of these symptoms?
A. Acute bronchospasm
B. Allergic reaction
C. Anaphylactoid reaction
,D. Acute renal failure - Answer--C. Anaphylactoid reaction
The symptoms described in this scenario are the result of an anaphylactoid reaction, a
type of reaction that clinically mimics anaphylaxis but requires no previous exposure to
contrast media.
A patient received 100 ml of IV contrast media as a part of an abdominal computed
tomography (CT) scan, as well as 500 ml of dilute, oral contrast, prior to coming to
Radiology for a separate order, an intravenous urogram (IVU). The patient's creatinine
is 0.4 mg/dl and BUN is 36 mg/dl. Why should this IVU be rescheduled?
A. The presence of the previous oral contrast in the abdomen precludes an IVU.
B. The lab values indicate increased risk for contrast injection.
C. The lab values indicate that the contrast would not be excreted in sufficient quantity
to be useful for an IVU.
D. The presence of the previous intravenous contrast precludes an IVU - Answer--A.
The presence of the previous oral contrast in the abdomen precludes an IVU.
The single, most compelling reason to reschedule this IVU is the presence of previous
oral contrast in the abdomen.
The radiographer is assisting a patient to move from a wheelchair to the x-ray table.
Which represents the safest practice by the radiographer when moving this patient?
A. Maintain the center of gravity over the base of support.
B. Extend the arms as far as possible to increase the base of support.
C. Bend at the waist so the center of gravity is midway between the patient and the
base of support.
D. Reduce the base of support slightly so the center of gravity is easier to maintain. -
Answer--A. Maintain the center of gravity over the base of support.
The radiographer should maintain the center of gravity over the base of support. If
movement is required, then the feet should be moved to maintain this relationship. All
other responses violate proper body mechanics.
Which term best describes the process of cleaning the surfaces in a radiology
department with 10% bleach solution in water?
A. Sterile technique
B. Medical asepsis
, C. Sterilization
D. Surgical asepsis - Answer--B. Medical asepsis
Proper cleanliness, like hand washing and cleaning surfaces, is termed medical
asepsis.
Which action is best taught to the patient using the communication technique of
demonstration?
A. The correct positioning for a particular projection.
B. Instructions for donning and removing a patient gown.
C. The correct direction to face when sitting at the radiography table.
D. Direction on where to sit relative to the radiography table. - Answer--A. The correct
positioning for a particular projection.
Demonstration is particularly effective for showing a patient the specifics of a position.
Which actions should the radiographer take to help prevent acquired infections in
hospitals or clinics? (Select the four that apply.)
A. Placing used needles in sharps containers.
B. Placing biologically soiled linen in biohazard linen bags.
C. Wearing exam gloves and changing them between each patient.
D. Placing used syringes in isolated trash receptacles.
E. Washing hands frequently and using hand lotion afterward. - Answer--A. Placing
used needles in sharps containers.
B. Placing biologically soiled linen in biohazard linen bags.
C. Wearing exam gloves and changing them between each patient.
E. Washing hands frequently and using hand lotion afterward.
Identify the medical conditions in a patient's history which should be cleared by the
radiologist before injection of an ionic, water soluble, injectable contrast agent. (Select
the four that apply.)
A. Pheochromocytoma
B. Age over 40
C. Compromised renal function
D. Diabetes
E. Sickle cell anemia - Answer--A. Pheochromocytoma
C. Compromised renal function
Correct Answers Graded A+| Latest Update
2026
Which procedure is an example of surgical asepsis?
A. Clean glove application.
B. Hand washing
C. Clean gown application
D. Surgical hand scrub. - Answer--D. Surgical hand scrub.
Asepsis is the absence of disease-producing (pathogenic) organisms. Surgical asepsis,
or sterile technique, includes procedures used to eliminate all microorganisms from an
area. Surgical hand scrub, sterile glove application, and sterile gown application are
examples of surgical asepsis.
A radiographer receives a request for a portable chest x-ray and then performs the x-ray
on the incorrect patient. Which legal term best describes the actions of the
radiographer?
A. Battery
B. Negligence
C. Assault
D. Invasion of privacy - Answer--A. Battery
Battery is defined as touching to which the victim has not consented. Performing a
procedure on the wrong patient may constitute grounds for a charge of battery.
,The lead radiographer is planning a strategy to efficiently manage the morning
workload. The department is short-staffed due to meetings, and four patients are now
ready for their examinations. Assuming that none of the exams is emergent, which
patient should be seen first?
A. An 54-year-old male with type 2 diabetes for an upper GI
B. A 18-year-old female for an intravenous urogram
C. An 83-year-old female for a chest x-ray
D. A two-year-old child for a barium swallow - Answer--D. A two-year-old child for a
barium swallow
An x-ray department should begin the day with patients who are fasting prior to their
examination. In this example, more than one of the patients is fasting, so the
radiographer must decide who goes first based on other factors. Since none of the
cases are emergent, consideration should be given to pediatric and geriatric patients
because they have the most difficulty being NPO for long periods of time.
Which type of contrast agent is preferred for low risk and low cost for a patient
diagnosed with a possible perforated bowel?
A. Barium sulfate suspension, flavored
B. Gaseous media in the form of crystals
C. Ionic, water soluble, diluted with juice
D. Nonionic, water soluble, diluted with juice - Answer--C. Ionic, water soluble, diluted
with juice
The least risk with the least cost would dictate ionic, water soluble media. Barium
should definitely be avoided, because of the risk of introducing contrast into the
peritoneum. Barium sulfate suspension might cause adhesions if it spills into the
peritoneum via a perforation. Gaseous media will not yield all of the information that
positive media will in this case.
A patient reports symptoms including itching, rash formation, and difficulty breathing
immediately following the administration of intravenous (IV) contrast media. Assuming
the patient has had no prior exposure to radiopaque contrast media, what is the most
likely cause of these symptoms?
A. Acute bronchospasm
B. Allergic reaction
C. Anaphylactoid reaction
,D. Acute renal failure - Answer--C. Anaphylactoid reaction
The symptoms described in this scenario are the result of an anaphylactoid reaction, a
type of reaction that clinically mimics anaphylaxis but requires no previous exposure to
contrast media.
A patient received 100 ml of IV contrast media as a part of an abdominal computed
tomography (CT) scan, as well as 500 ml of dilute, oral contrast, prior to coming to
Radiology for a separate order, an intravenous urogram (IVU). The patient's creatinine
is 0.4 mg/dl and BUN is 36 mg/dl. Why should this IVU be rescheduled?
A. The presence of the previous oral contrast in the abdomen precludes an IVU.
B. The lab values indicate increased risk for contrast injection.
C. The lab values indicate that the contrast would not be excreted in sufficient quantity
to be useful for an IVU.
D. The presence of the previous intravenous contrast precludes an IVU - Answer--A.
The presence of the previous oral contrast in the abdomen precludes an IVU.
The single, most compelling reason to reschedule this IVU is the presence of previous
oral contrast in the abdomen.
The radiographer is assisting a patient to move from a wheelchair to the x-ray table.
Which represents the safest practice by the radiographer when moving this patient?
A. Maintain the center of gravity over the base of support.
B. Extend the arms as far as possible to increase the base of support.
C. Bend at the waist so the center of gravity is midway between the patient and the
base of support.
D. Reduce the base of support slightly so the center of gravity is easier to maintain. -
Answer--A. Maintain the center of gravity over the base of support.
The radiographer should maintain the center of gravity over the base of support. If
movement is required, then the feet should be moved to maintain this relationship. All
other responses violate proper body mechanics.
Which term best describes the process of cleaning the surfaces in a radiology
department with 10% bleach solution in water?
A. Sterile technique
B. Medical asepsis
, C. Sterilization
D. Surgical asepsis - Answer--B. Medical asepsis
Proper cleanliness, like hand washing and cleaning surfaces, is termed medical
asepsis.
Which action is best taught to the patient using the communication technique of
demonstration?
A. The correct positioning for a particular projection.
B. Instructions for donning and removing a patient gown.
C. The correct direction to face when sitting at the radiography table.
D. Direction on where to sit relative to the radiography table. - Answer--A. The correct
positioning for a particular projection.
Demonstration is particularly effective for showing a patient the specifics of a position.
Which actions should the radiographer take to help prevent acquired infections in
hospitals or clinics? (Select the four that apply.)
A. Placing used needles in sharps containers.
B. Placing biologically soiled linen in biohazard linen bags.
C. Wearing exam gloves and changing them between each patient.
D. Placing used syringes in isolated trash receptacles.
E. Washing hands frequently and using hand lotion afterward. - Answer--A. Placing
used needles in sharps containers.
B. Placing biologically soiled linen in biohazard linen bags.
C. Wearing exam gloves and changing them between each patient.
E. Washing hands frequently and using hand lotion afterward.
Identify the medical conditions in a patient's history which should be cleared by the
radiologist before injection of an ionic, water soluble, injectable contrast agent. (Select
the four that apply.)
A. Pheochromocytoma
B. Age over 40
C. Compromised renal function
D. Diabetes
E. Sickle cell anemia - Answer--A. Pheochromocytoma
C. Compromised renal function
