ARRT Radiology Exam 3 Complete 2025–2026 Radiography Practice Questions
with Verified Answers and Explanations.
Domain 1: Patient Care & Education (15 questions)
1. A patient arrives for an upper GI series and reports difficulty swallowing solids
and liquids for 2 weeks. Which action should the technologist take FIRST?
A) Proceed with the exam using water-soluble contrast
B) Notify the radiologist
C) Have the patient drink thin barium slowly
D) Perform a modified barium swallow instead
Answer: B
Rationale: Dysphagia for both solids and liquids suggests possible esophageal
obstruction or motility disorder. The radiologist must be notified to determine
appropriate contrast and protocol.
,2. A diabetic patient having a CT with IV contrast has a metformin prescription.
When should metformin be withheld?
A) 24 hours before exam only
B) 48 hours after exam only
C) Day of exam and for 48 hours post-exam if eGFR is normal
D) Day of exam and for 48 hours post-exam regardless of renal function
Answer: C
*Rationale: Current guidelines: hold metformin day of exam and for 48 hours
post-exam if eGFR is normal; recheck renal function before resuming.*
3. What is the proper needle gauge for adult venipuncture for IV contrast
injection?
A) 14–16 gauge
B) 18–22 gauge
C) 23–25 gauge
D) 26–30 gauge
Answer: B
,*Rationale: 18-22 gauge allows adequate flow rate (2-5 mL/sec) for power
injection without hemolysis or extravasation risk.*
4. A patient is on contact precautions for C. diff. After the portable chest X-ray,
the technologist should:
A) Remove gloves and wash hands with alcohol-based rub
B) Remove gown/gloves and wash with soap and water
C) Wipe down the X-ray unit with alcohol only
D) No special precautions needed
Answer: B
Rationale: C. diff spores are not killed by alcohol-based rubs; soap and water
mechanical removal is required.
5. Which vital sign change indicates possible anaphylactic shock?
A) Increased BP, decreased HR
B) Decreased BP, increased HR
C) Increased BP, increased HR
D) Decreased BP, decreased HR
, Answer: B
Rationale: Anaphylaxis causes vasodilation (↓BP) and compensatory tachycardia
(↑HR).
6. When transferring a hemiplegic patient from wheelchair to exam table, place
the wheelchair:
A) On the patient’s strong side at a 45° angle
B) On the patient’s weak side at a 90° angle
C) Directly in front of the table
D) On the strong side parallel to table
Answer: A
Rationale: Position wheelchair on strong side at 45° so patient can pivot and bear
weight on unaffected side.
7. Morning of an IVU, a patient took their usual dose of lasix. The technologist
should:
A) Proceed, because lasix improves renal imaging
B) Reschedule, because lasix causes severe dehydration
C) Notify radiologist, as lasix may alter contrast excretion
with Verified Answers and Explanations.
Domain 1: Patient Care & Education (15 questions)
1. A patient arrives for an upper GI series and reports difficulty swallowing solids
and liquids for 2 weeks. Which action should the technologist take FIRST?
A) Proceed with the exam using water-soluble contrast
B) Notify the radiologist
C) Have the patient drink thin barium slowly
D) Perform a modified barium swallow instead
Answer: B
Rationale: Dysphagia for both solids and liquids suggests possible esophageal
obstruction or motility disorder. The radiologist must be notified to determine
appropriate contrast and protocol.
,2. A diabetic patient having a CT with IV contrast has a metformin prescription.
When should metformin be withheld?
A) 24 hours before exam only
B) 48 hours after exam only
C) Day of exam and for 48 hours post-exam if eGFR is normal
D) Day of exam and for 48 hours post-exam regardless of renal function
Answer: C
*Rationale: Current guidelines: hold metformin day of exam and for 48 hours
post-exam if eGFR is normal; recheck renal function before resuming.*
3. What is the proper needle gauge for adult venipuncture for IV contrast
injection?
A) 14–16 gauge
B) 18–22 gauge
C) 23–25 gauge
D) 26–30 gauge
Answer: B
,*Rationale: 18-22 gauge allows adequate flow rate (2-5 mL/sec) for power
injection without hemolysis or extravasation risk.*
4. A patient is on contact precautions for C. diff. After the portable chest X-ray,
the technologist should:
A) Remove gloves and wash hands with alcohol-based rub
B) Remove gown/gloves and wash with soap and water
C) Wipe down the X-ray unit with alcohol only
D) No special precautions needed
Answer: B
Rationale: C. diff spores are not killed by alcohol-based rubs; soap and water
mechanical removal is required.
5. Which vital sign change indicates possible anaphylactic shock?
A) Increased BP, decreased HR
B) Decreased BP, increased HR
C) Increased BP, increased HR
D) Decreased BP, decreased HR
, Answer: B
Rationale: Anaphylaxis causes vasodilation (↓BP) and compensatory tachycardia
(↑HR).
6. When transferring a hemiplegic patient from wheelchair to exam table, place
the wheelchair:
A) On the patient’s strong side at a 45° angle
B) On the patient’s weak side at a 90° angle
C) Directly in front of the table
D) On the strong side parallel to table
Answer: A
Rationale: Position wheelchair on strong side at 45° so patient can pivot and bear
weight on unaffected side.
7. Morning of an IVU, a patient took their usual dose of lasix. The technologist
should:
A) Proceed, because lasix improves renal imaging
B) Reschedule, because lasix causes severe dehydration
C) Notify radiologist, as lasix may alter contrast excretion
