HESI RADIOLOGY EXIT EXAM PREP VERSION 2
LATEST 2026 UPDATE 100 QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS FROM ACTUAL
EXAMS TEST GRADE A+
1. What is the primary purpose of a chest X-ray?
A. Evaluate bone fractures
B. Assess lung and heart structures
C. Detect brain hemorrhage
D. Visualize abdominal organs
Answer: B
Rationale: A chest X-ray is primarily used to evaluate the lungs, heart, and chest
structures such as the mediastinum and ribs.
2. Which imaging modality uses ionizing radiation?
A. MRI
B. Ultrasound
C. CT scan
D. Echocardiogram
Answer: C
Rationale: CT scans use ionizing radiation to create cross-sectional images of the
body.
3. What is the best imaging study for soft tissue brain detail?
A. CT scan
B. MRI
,C. X-ray
D. PET scan
Answer: B
Rationale: MRI provides superior soft tissue contrast, especially in brain imaging.
4. Which contrast medium is commonly used in CT scans?
A. Barium sulfate
B. Gadolinium
C. Iodine-based contrast
D. Carbon dioxide
Answer: C
Rationale: Iodine-based contrast is commonly used in CT imaging to enhance
vascular and organ visibility.
5. What is the first nursing action before a patient receives IV contrast?
A. Give antihistamine
B. Assess allergy history
C. Administer oxygen
D. Encourage fasting for 24 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing allergy history, especially to iodine or shellfish, is critical
before contrast administration.
6. Which position is used for a lateral chest X-ray?
A. Supine
B. Standing with left side against detector
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
,Answer: B
Rationale: The patient stands with the left side against the detector for a standard
lateral chest X-ray.
7. MRI is contraindicated in patients with:
A. Diabetes
B. Pacemakers
C. Hypertension
D. Asthma
Answer: B
Rationale: MRI uses strong magnetic fields that can interfere with pacemakers.
8. What is the main risk of ionizing radiation exposure?
A. Hair loss
B. Skin rash
C. Cellular damage and cancer risk
D. Dehydration
Answer: C
Rationale: Ionizing radiation can damage DNA and increase cancer risk.
9. Which imaging is best for gallstones?
A. MRI
B. Ultrasound
C. X-ray
D. PET scan
Answer: B
Rationale: Ultrasound is the preferred method for detecting gallstones.
, 10. A CT scan provides images in what format?
A. Sound waves
B. Magnetic fields
C. Cross-sectional slices
D. Light waves
Answer: C
Rationale: CT imaging produces cross-sectional (slice) images of the body.
11. What should a nurse monitor after contrast administration?
A. Blood glucose
B. Signs of allergic reaction
C. Urine color
D. Reflexes
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients must be monitored for allergic reactions such as rash, itching,
or anaphylaxis.
12. Which organ is most sensitive to radiation?
A. Heart
B. Brain
C. Bone marrow
D. Liver
Answer: C
Rationale: Bone marrow is highly sensitive to radiation due to rapid cell division.
13. Which scan is used to evaluate bone fractures in detail?
LATEST 2026 UPDATE 100 QUESTIONS AND
DETAILED VERIFIED ANSWERS FROM ACTUAL
EXAMS TEST GRADE A+
1. What is the primary purpose of a chest X-ray?
A. Evaluate bone fractures
B. Assess lung and heart structures
C. Detect brain hemorrhage
D. Visualize abdominal organs
Answer: B
Rationale: A chest X-ray is primarily used to evaluate the lungs, heart, and chest
structures such as the mediastinum and ribs.
2. Which imaging modality uses ionizing radiation?
A. MRI
B. Ultrasound
C. CT scan
D. Echocardiogram
Answer: C
Rationale: CT scans use ionizing radiation to create cross-sectional images of the
body.
3. What is the best imaging study for soft tissue brain detail?
A. CT scan
B. MRI
,C. X-ray
D. PET scan
Answer: B
Rationale: MRI provides superior soft tissue contrast, especially in brain imaging.
4. Which contrast medium is commonly used in CT scans?
A. Barium sulfate
B. Gadolinium
C. Iodine-based contrast
D. Carbon dioxide
Answer: C
Rationale: Iodine-based contrast is commonly used in CT imaging to enhance
vascular and organ visibility.
5. What is the first nursing action before a patient receives IV contrast?
A. Give antihistamine
B. Assess allergy history
C. Administer oxygen
D. Encourage fasting for 24 hours
Answer: B
Rationale: Assessing allergy history, especially to iodine or shellfish, is critical
before contrast administration.
6. Which position is used for a lateral chest X-ray?
A. Supine
B. Standing with left side against detector
C. Prone
D. Trendelenburg
,Answer: B
Rationale: The patient stands with the left side against the detector for a standard
lateral chest X-ray.
7. MRI is contraindicated in patients with:
A. Diabetes
B. Pacemakers
C. Hypertension
D. Asthma
Answer: B
Rationale: MRI uses strong magnetic fields that can interfere with pacemakers.
8. What is the main risk of ionizing radiation exposure?
A. Hair loss
B. Skin rash
C. Cellular damage and cancer risk
D. Dehydration
Answer: C
Rationale: Ionizing radiation can damage DNA and increase cancer risk.
9. Which imaging is best for gallstones?
A. MRI
B. Ultrasound
C. X-ray
D. PET scan
Answer: B
Rationale: Ultrasound is the preferred method for detecting gallstones.
, 10. A CT scan provides images in what format?
A. Sound waves
B. Magnetic fields
C. Cross-sectional slices
D. Light waves
Answer: C
Rationale: CT imaging produces cross-sectional (slice) images of the body.
11. What should a nurse monitor after contrast administration?
A. Blood glucose
B. Signs of allergic reaction
C. Urine color
D. Reflexes
Answer: B
Rationale: Patients must be monitored for allergic reactions such as rash, itching,
or anaphylaxis.
12. Which organ is most sensitive to radiation?
A. Heart
B. Brain
C. Bone marrow
D. Liver
Answer: C
Rationale: Bone marrow is highly sensitive to radiation due to rapid cell division.
13. Which scan is used to evaluate bone fractures in detail?
