HESI Radiology Exit Exam prep
Version 3 Exam Questions and
Answers Practice Questions with
Solutions Newest | Already Graded
A+
1. A radiographer evaluates a posteroanterior (PA) chest
radiograph. The image demonstrates rotation, but the
radiographer believes that the rotation resulted from the
patient's scoliosis. What would be demonstrated on the
image to make the radiographer believe this is the case?
A. The clavicles are positioned at different distances from the
center of the spine.
B. The ribs appear wider on one side of the spine than the
other.
C. The distance between the lung margins and the spine
varies down the length of each lung.
D. The trachea is visible and shifted to one side of the image.
Rationale: In a patient with scoliosis, the curvature of the spine
causes a varying lateral distance to the lung margins. This is
different from simple patient rotation, where the spacing would
be consistently unequal on one side.
,2. Which part of the x-ray circuit is controlled by adjusting
the milliamperage (mA) setting on the operating console for
the purpose of producing the heat necessary for thermionic
emission?
A. High-voltage circuit
B. Timer circuit
C. Filament circuit
D. Primary circuit
Rationale: The mA setting controls the current flowing through
the filament circuit. This current heats the cathode filament,
producing thermionic emission (the release of electrons).
3. If a radiographer receives an exposure of 0.05 millisievert
(mSv) at a distance of 1.5 feet from the tube of a portable x-
ray unit, what will the exposure be at a distance of 6 feet
from the tube?
A. 0.2 mSv
B. 0.8 mSv
C. 0.0125 mSv
D. 0.0031 mSv
Rationale: The Inverse Square Law states that intensity is inversely
proportional to the square of the distance. (Intensity1 / Intensity2)
= (Distance2² / Distance1²). So, (0.05 / x) = (6² / 1.5²) = (.25)
= 16. Solving for x: x = 0. = 0.003125 mSv.
4. A 49-year-old female was referred for mammography, but
she is very apprehensive after reading about the risk of
,ionizing radiation. How should the radiographer handle this
situation?
A. Cancel the procedure and document the patient's non-
compliance.
B. Explain that the dose is so low there is absolutely no risk.
C. Reassure her that the benefit of the procedure
outweighs the potential consequences.
D. Tell her that she can switch to ultrasound, which has no
radiation.
Rationale: The principle of "Justification" in radiation protection
states that a procedure's benefits (early detection of breast
cancer) must outweigh its risks (very low radiation dose). While
ultrasound is useful, it is not a replacement for screening
mammography.
5. What is the wide spread of Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) mainly attributed to?
A. Increased patient travel between countries.
B. Mutation of the bacteria into an airborne form.
C. Over prescription of antibiotics and poor infection
control practices.
D. Widespread use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Rationale: MRSA is a result of natural selection. Overuse of
antibiotics kills susceptible bacteria, allowing resistant strains to
thrive. Poor infection control (e.g., hand hygiene) then facilitates
the spread of these resistant organisms.
, 6. What do limiting spatial resolution (LSR) and modulation
transfer function (MTF) have in common?
A. They both measure contrast resolution.
B. They both measure spatial resolution in digital
imaging.
C. They both measure noise in a digital system.
D. They both evaluate the accuracy of the exposure indicator.
Rationale: Both LSR and MTF are quantitative methods used to
measure the spatial resolution capability of a digital imaging
system—essentially, how well the system can display fine detail.
7. What is the angle formed by the intervertebral foramina
and the midsagittal plane in the thoracic spine?
A. 45 degrees
B. 90 degrees
C. 70 degrees
D. 30 degrees
Rationale: In the thoracic spine, the pedicles and intervertebral
foramina are oriented at a 90-degree angle to the midsagittal
plane. This is why a lateral projection is required to demonstrate
them.
8. Which technique mimics the use of a grid?
A. Decreased kilovoltage peak (kVp).
B. Increased object-to-image-receptor-distance (OID).
C. Decreased source-to-image-receptor-distance (SID).
D. Increased milliamperage seconds (mAs).
Version 3 Exam Questions and
Answers Practice Questions with
Solutions Newest | Already Graded
A+
1. A radiographer evaluates a posteroanterior (PA) chest
radiograph. The image demonstrates rotation, but the
radiographer believes that the rotation resulted from the
patient's scoliosis. What would be demonstrated on the
image to make the radiographer believe this is the case?
A. The clavicles are positioned at different distances from the
center of the spine.
B. The ribs appear wider on one side of the spine than the
other.
C. The distance between the lung margins and the spine
varies down the length of each lung.
D. The trachea is visible and shifted to one side of the image.
Rationale: In a patient with scoliosis, the curvature of the spine
causes a varying lateral distance to the lung margins. This is
different from simple patient rotation, where the spacing would
be consistently unequal on one side.
,2. Which part of the x-ray circuit is controlled by adjusting
the milliamperage (mA) setting on the operating console for
the purpose of producing the heat necessary for thermionic
emission?
A. High-voltage circuit
B. Timer circuit
C. Filament circuit
D. Primary circuit
Rationale: The mA setting controls the current flowing through
the filament circuit. This current heats the cathode filament,
producing thermionic emission (the release of electrons).
3. If a radiographer receives an exposure of 0.05 millisievert
(mSv) at a distance of 1.5 feet from the tube of a portable x-
ray unit, what will the exposure be at a distance of 6 feet
from the tube?
A. 0.2 mSv
B. 0.8 mSv
C. 0.0125 mSv
D. 0.0031 mSv
Rationale: The Inverse Square Law states that intensity is inversely
proportional to the square of the distance. (Intensity1 / Intensity2)
= (Distance2² / Distance1²). So, (0.05 / x) = (6² / 1.5²) = (.25)
= 16. Solving for x: x = 0. = 0.003125 mSv.
4. A 49-year-old female was referred for mammography, but
she is very apprehensive after reading about the risk of
,ionizing radiation. How should the radiographer handle this
situation?
A. Cancel the procedure and document the patient's non-
compliance.
B. Explain that the dose is so low there is absolutely no risk.
C. Reassure her that the benefit of the procedure
outweighs the potential consequences.
D. Tell her that she can switch to ultrasound, which has no
radiation.
Rationale: The principle of "Justification" in radiation protection
states that a procedure's benefits (early detection of breast
cancer) must outweigh its risks (very low radiation dose). While
ultrasound is useful, it is not a replacement for screening
mammography.
5. What is the wide spread of Methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) mainly attributed to?
A. Increased patient travel between countries.
B. Mutation of the bacteria into an airborne form.
C. Over prescription of antibiotics and poor infection
control practices.
D. Widespread use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
Rationale: MRSA is a result of natural selection. Overuse of
antibiotics kills susceptible bacteria, allowing resistant strains to
thrive. Poor infection control (e.g., hand hygiene) then facilitates
the spread of these resistant organisms.
, 6. What do limiting spatial resolution (LSR) and modulation
transfer function (MTF) have in common?
A. They both measure contrast resolution.
B. They both measure spatial resolution in digital
imaging.
C. They both measure noise in a digital system.
D. They both evaluate the accuracy of the exposure indicator.
Rationale: Both LSR and MTF are quantitative methods used to
measure the spatial resolution capability of a digital imaging
system—essentially, how well the system can display fine detail.
7. What is the angle formed by the intervertebral foramina
and the midsagittal plane in the thoracic spine?
A. 45 degrees
B. 90 degrees
C. 70 degrees
D. 30 degrees
Rationale: In the thoracic spine, the pedicles and intervertebral
foramina are oriented at a 90-degree angle to the midsagittal
plane. This is why a lateral projection is required to demonstrate
them.
8. Which technique mimics the use of a grid?
A. Decreased kilovoltage peak (kVp).
B. Increased object-to-image-receptor-distance (OID).
C. Decreased source-to-image-receptor-distance (SID).
D. Increased milliamperage seconds (mAs).
