BXMO EXAM BASIC X-RAY MACHINE OPERATOR
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Basic X-Ray Machine operator BXMO EXAM - Answers - BXMO - BASIC X-RAY
MACHINE OPERATOR EXAM COVERAGE
The BXMO (Basic X-Ray Machine Operator) exam evaluates a candidate's foundational
knowledge of radiographic imaging principles, radiation safety, and basic X-ray
equipment operation. The exam coverage includes radiation physics fundamentals, X-
ray production, and image formation principles, as well as proper machine operation
and exposure technique selection. It also assesses understanding of radiation
protection concepts such as time, distance, and shielding, ALARA principles, and
patient and operator safety procedures. Additional areas include positioning basics,
image quality factors, anatomy recognition for common radiographic exams, infection
control, and patient care techniques. The exam further covers regulatory compliance,
equipment maintenance, and safe handling of radiographic equipment. Overall, the
exam ensures candidates can safely operate basic X-ray machines while producing
diagnostic-quality images and maintaining radiation safety standards.
The oldest and largest radiologic science professional organization is the: - Answers -
American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT)
The organization that sets standards and prepares examinations necessary to certify
radiologic technologists and limited operators is the: - Answers - American Registry of
Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
Which of the following would be considered a characteristic of x-rays?
1. have no mass
2. are electrically neutral
3.travel in straight lines - Answers - 1,2,3
The radiation that exits the opposite side of the patient to expose the image receptor
(IR) is called: - Answers - Remnat radiation
The term used to describe radiation that is absorbed by matter is: - Answers -
Attenuation
The "unseen" image that is contained in the image receptor (IR) before it is processed is
called the: - Answers - Latent image
The radiation that exits the body in all directions and causes unwanted exposure on the
image receptor (IR) as well as anyone who is in the room is called __________
radiation. - Answers - Scattered
,The radiation that exits the x-ray tube and travels in-air to the patient is called: -
Answers - Primary
The boxlike device attached under the tube housing that allows the limited operator to
vary the size of the radiation field is called the: - Answers - Collimator
An invisible line in the center of the x-ray beam and perpendicular to the long axis of the
x-ray tube is called the: - Answers - Central Ray
An exposure time of 0.02 seconds is equal to how many milliseconds? - Answers - 20
msec
The number 9 squared is equal to: - Answers - 81
The number 4 is the square root of: - Answers - 16
When 62 kVp is increased by 30%, the result is approximately: - Answers - 81
When the fraction 7/8 is converted to a decimal, the result is: - Answers - 0.875
When 230% is expressed as a decimal, the result is: - Answers - 2.3
A radiographic image is made using 500 mA, 0.1 sec., 80 kVp, and
48-inches SID. The value of the mAs for this exposure is - Answers - 50 mAs
X-rays have electromagnetic energy. The velocity (or speed) of this energy travels at a
speed of: - Answers - 186,000 miles per second
The smallest possible unit of electromagnetic energy is the: - Answers - Photon
The electrical current flowing in an x-ray tube is measured in: - Answers - Milliamperes
The force or strength of the electron flow in an electrical current is measured in: -
Answers - Kilovoltage
The device used to produce the high voltage needed for x-ray production is called the: -
Answers - Transformer
In radiology, 80,000 volts is converted to: - Answers - 80 kVp
The target and the filament in the x-ray tube are made of: - Answers - Tungsten
Electrons are made available in the filament of the x-ray tube by a process called: -
Answers - Thermionic emission
The anode in x-ray tubes rotates at a high rpm to: - Answers - Dissipate the heat
, The target in the x-ray tube is angled to affect the:
1. heat capacity
2. number of photons
3. sharpness of the image - Answers - 1 and 3
Which of the following would be a common small focal spot size in an x-ray tube? -
Answers - 0.6 mm
What size of target angle is required for the radiation to cover a
14-in x 17-in IR at a distance of 40 inches? - Answers - 12 degrees
The intensity of the x-ray beam is greatest at the: - Answers - Cathode end of the beam
The penetrating power of the x-ray beam is controlled by varying the: - Answers - kVp
If the mA is doubled, the x-ray photons emitted from the tube: - Answers - Double
The x-ray tube inside the protective housing is made of: - Answers - Pyrex glass
What material is used as the added filter material in x-ray tubes? - Answers - Aluminum
What percentage of the total energy applied to an x-ray tube target is converted into x-
rays? - Answers - 99%
The density in the radiographic image is primarily controlled by the: - Answers - mA
Which of the following supplies and controls the heat required by the x-ray tube filament
for thermionic emission of electrons? - Answers - Filament circuit
Which of the following is controlled directly on the x-ray control panel?
1. mA
2. rectification
3. automatic exposure control - Answers - 1 and 3
How many detectors are contained in an automatic exposure control (AEC) device in an
x-ray table? - Answers - 3
Which of the following is varied automatically when using automatic exposure control
(AEC)? - Answers - Exposure time
Which of the following can cause too much heat on the anode and cause it to crack and
fail?
1. excessive exposure on a cold tube
2. a rapid series of large exposures
3. mA settings greater than 400 mA - Answers - 1 and 2
QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS
Basic X-Ray Machine operator BXMO EXAM - Answers - BXMO - BASIC X-RAY
MACHINE OPERATOR EXAM COVERAGE
The BXMO (Basic X-Ray Machine Operator) exam evaluates a candidate's foundational
knowledge of radiographic imaging principles, radiation safety, and basic X-ray
equipment operation. The exam coverage includes radiation physics fundamentals, X-
ray production, and image formation principles, as well as proper machine operation
and exposure technique selection. It also assesses understanding of radiation
protection concepts such as time, distance, and shielding, ALARA principles, and
patient and operator safety procedures. Additional areas include positioning basics,
image quality factors, anatomy recognition for common radiographic exams, infection
control, and patient care techniques. The exam further covers regulatory compliance,
equipment maintenance, and safe handling of radiographic equipment. Overall, the
exam ensures candidates can safely operate basic X-ray machines while producing
diagnostic-quality images and maintaining radiation safety standards.
The oldest and largest radiologic science professional organization is the: - Answers -
American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT)
The organization that sets standards and prepares examinations necessary to certify
radiologic technologists and limited operators is the: - Answers - American Registry of
Radiologic Technologists (ARRT)
Which of the following would be considered a characteristic of x-rays?
1. have no mass
2. are electrically neutral
3.travel in straight lines - Answers - 1,2,3
The radiation that exits the opposite side of the patient to expose the image receptor
(IR) is called: - Answers - Remnat radiation
The term used to describe radiation that is absorbed by matter is: - Answers -
Attenuation
The "unseen" image that is contained in the image receptor (IR) before it is processed is
called the: - Answers - Latent image
The radiation that exits the body in all directions and causes unwanted exposure on the
image receptor (IR) as well as anyone who is in the room is called __________
radiation. - Answers - Scattered
,The radiation that exits the x-ray tube and travels in-air to the patient is called: -
Answers - Primary
The boxlike device attached under the tube housing that allows the limited operator to
vary the size of the radiation field is called the: - Answers - Collimator
An invisible line in the center of the x-ray beam and perpendicular to the long axis of the
x-ray tube is called the: - Answers - Central Ray
An exposure time of 0.02 seconds is equal to how many milliseconds? - Answers - 20
msec
The number 9 squared is equal to: - Answers - 81
The number 4 is the square root of: - Answers - 16
When 62 kVp is increased by 30%, the result is approximately: - Answers - 81
When the fraction 7/8 is converted to a decimal, the result is: - Answers - 0.875
When 230% is expressed as a decimal, the result is: - Answers - 2.3
A radiographic image is made using 500 mA, 0.1 sec., 80 kVp, and
48-inches SID. The value of the mAs for this exposure is - Answers - 50 mAs
X-rays have electromagnetic energy. The velocity (or speed) of this energy travels at a
speed of: - Answers - 186,000 miles per second
The smallest possible unit of electromagnetic energy is the: - Answers - Photon
The electrical current flowing in an x-ray tube is measured in: - Answers - Milliamperes
The force or strength of the electron flow in an electrical current is measured in: -
Answers - Kilovoltage
The device used to produce the high voltage needed for x-ray production is called the: -
Answers - Transformer
In radiology, 80,000 volts is converted to: - Answers - 80 kVp
The target and the filament in the x-ray tube are made of: - Answers - Tungsten
Electrons are made available in the filament of the x-ray tube by a process called: -
Answers - Thermionic emission
The anode in x-ray tubes rotates at a high rpm to: - Answers - Dissipate the heat
, The target in the x-ray tube is angled to affect the:
1. heat capacity
2. number of photons
3. sharpness of the image - Answers - 1 and 3
Which of the following would be a common small focal spot size in an x-ray tube? -
Answers - 0.6 mm
What size of target angle is required for the radiation to cover a
14-in x 17-in IR at a distance of 40 inches? - Answers - 12 degrees
The intensity of the x-ray beam is greatest at the: - Answers - Cathode end of the beam
The penetrating power of the x-ray beam is controlled by varying the: - Answers - kVp
If the mA is doubled, the x-ray photons emitted from the tube: - Answers - Double
The x-ray tube inside the protective housing is made of: - Answers - Pyrex glass
What material is used as the added filter material in x-ray tubes? - Answers - Aluminum
What percentage of the total energy applied to an x-ray tube target is converted into x-
rays? - Answers - 99%
The density in the radiographic image is primarily controlled by the: - Answers - mA
Which of the following supplies and controls the heat required by the x-ray tube filament
for thermionic emission of electrons? - Answers - Filament circuit
Which of the following is controlled directly on the x-ray control panel?
1. mA
2. rectification
3. automatic exposure control - Answers - 1 and 3
How many detectors are contained in an automatic exposure control (AEC) device in an
x-ray table? - Answers - 3
Which of the following is varied automatically when using automatic exposure control
(AEC)? - Answers - Exposure time
Which of the following can cause too much heat on the anode and cause it to crack and
fail?
1. excessive exposure on a cold tube
2. a rapid series of large exposures
3. mA settings greater than 400 mA - Answers - 1 and 2
