Thorax and Abdomen

Which of the following positions/projections would best demonstrate a hiatal hernia? A. AP B. Lateral C. RAO D. LAO

A. AP A hiatal hernia is where a portion of the stomach herniates through the diaphragm. An AP projection fills the fundus with barium and will demonstrate a hiatal hernia if the diaphragm is included.

Which of the following refers to acute chest pain due to inadequate oxygen supply? A. Angina pectoris B. Palpitation C. Regurgitation D. Cardiac arrhythmia

A. Angina pectoris Angina pectoris is felt as severe pain and constriction about the heart and through the chest, sometimes radiating down the left arm.

What do you call the portion of the lung that lies above the clavicles? A. Apex B. Base C. Costophrenic angle D. Pleura

A. Apex The lungs are triangular shaped, with the apex at the top and the base at the bottom of the lung.

The gallbladder will be located near the vertebrae in which of the following body types? A. Asthenic B. Sthenic C. Hypersthenic D. Average

A. Asthenic With asthenic patients it is often difficult to visualize the gallbladder without superimposition of the spine. A right lateral decubitus position is often necessary to view the gallbladder.

What is the name of the main bile duct that leads directly from the liver? A. Common hepatic duct B. Cystic duct C. Common bile duct D. Abdominal duct

A. Common hepatic duct Hepat is a word root meaning liver. Hepatic is an adjective referring to the liver.

What do you call the most proximal portion of the small intestine? A. Duodenum B. Jejunum C. Ileum D. Sigmoid

A. Duodenum From proximal to distal it is the duodenum, jejunum and ileum

Which of the following is broken down into the two major categories of "gross" and "microscopic"? A. Hematuria B. Cystitis C. Reflux D. Hydronephrosis

A. Hematuria Hematuria (blood in the urine) can be gross (able to be seen with the naked eye) or microscopic (able to be seen only with a microscope).

What is the area called where the bronchi enter the lungs? A. Hilum B. Pulmonary C. Pleura D. Alveoli

A. Hilum The hilum is the central part of the chest where the bronchi and pulmonary vessels enter and leave the lungs

Which of the following describes the term ileus? A. Intestinal obstruction B. Enlarged bowel C. Distended stomach D. Abdominal infection

A. Intestinal obstruction Ileus is an obstruction of the small intestine. It can be caused by infection, postsurgical complications or a physical blockage.

Which of the following radiographic exams would require the patient to hold his/her breath on full expiration? A. KUB B. Lateral thoracic spine C. PA chest D. RAO sternum

A. KUB The lateral thoracic spine and RAO sternum would be best demonstrated with a breathing technique and the PA chest is best when done on full inspiration. The purpose of full expiration on a KUB is to move the diaphragm superiorly so the entire abdomen can be visualized without distortion

Which of the following describes an inflammation of the abdominal cavity lining? A. Peritonitis B. Gastritis C. Enteritis D. Diverticulitis

A. Peritonitis Peritonitis is the inflammation (-itis) of the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity.

An inflammation of a vein is known as what? A. Phlebitis B. Thrombosis C. Embolitis D. Edemitis

A. Phlebitis

Which of the following positions would the patient be in during the insertion of an enema tip? A. Sims' position B. Trendelenburg position C. Fowler's position D. Prone position

A. Sims' position

Which of the following is NOT a part of the heart? A. Superior vena cava B. Left atrium C. Right ventricle D. Mitral valve

A. Superior vena cava The superior vena cava is the large vein that returns blood to the heart from the head, neck, chest and upper extremities.

Which of the following means surgically opening the trachea to free the air passageway? A. Tracheotomy B. Pharyngeal incision C. Trachectomy D. Respiratory remova

A. Tracheotomy Tracheotomy means making an incision (-otomy) in the trachea (trache)

Rapid, irregular, ineffective twitches of the ventricles is referred to as what? A. Ventricular fibrillation B. Ventricular arrhythmia C. Ventricular palpitations D. Ventricular regurgitation

A. Ventricular fibrillation Fibrillation" refers to rapid, irregular, ineffective twitches, in this case of the ventricles. A defibrillator is used to correct this condition.

What do you call an ulcer in the stomach or duodenum? 1. Gastritis 2. Enteritis 3. Peptic ulcer A. 1 only B. 3 only C. 1 & 2 only D. 1, 2 & 3

B. 3 only A peptic ulcer is found in the stomach or duodenum. Gastritis and enteritis (inflammation of the colon) refer to inflammation, not ulceration.

A dilatation or sac-like formation in a weakened blood vessel wall is referred to as what? A. Embolism B. Aneurysm C. Thrombus D. Phlebo

B. Aneurysm A aneurysm is a dilated area in a weakened blood vessel, producing a sac-like bulge.

What are the blood vessels called that carry blood away from the heart? A. Capillaries B. Arteries C. Veins D. Venules

B. Arteries Arteries carry blood away from the heart and veins carry blood toward the heart.

What is it called when part of a patient's bronchial tree is blocked, causing a partial collapse? A. Pneumothorax B. Atelectasis C. Hemothorax D. Pleural effusion

B. Atelectasis Atelectasis is a collapsed or airless condition of the lung which may be caused by obstruction of the airway.

Which of the following is a chronic degenerative liver disease? A. Cystic fibrosis B. Cirrhosis C. Ascites D. Cholecystitis

B. Cirrhosis Cirrhosis (literally "-osis", an abnormal condition, of "cirrh", yellow) is a chronic liver disease leading to degenerative changes.

What is the name of the duct that transports bile from the gallbladder? A. Hepatic duct B. Cystic duct C. Duodenal duct D. Common hepatic duct

B. Cystic duct Cyst means sac. The duct that leaves the sac (gallbladder) is the cystic duct. It joins with the common hepatic duct (leaving the liver) to form the common bile duct which empties into the duodenum.

A patient who is lacking the substance in the blood for clotting is suffering from what condition? A. Aplastic anemia B. Hemophilia C. Sickle-cell anemia D. Leukemia

B. Hemophilia Hemophilia is a hereditary blood disease that is characterized by coagulation times that are much longer than normal, due to the lack of a blood factor that produces clotting

Short dimension grids, where the grid lines run with the short axis of the grid instead of the normal long axis, are useful for which of the following? A. Upright abdomen B. Portable (mobile) chest done with the grid crosswise C. Portable (mobile) knee in traction D. 45/45 trauma shoulder

B. Portable (mobile) chest done with the grid crosswise With a normal grid, when turned crosswise for a large patient the CR and grid must be aligned perfectly or grid cutoff will occur. With a short dimension grid, the grid lines will be runnning vertically when the grid is turn crosswise. This allows the radiographer to angle up or down or be misaligned with out getting grid cuttoff

What is the name of the large, thick muscle located on either side of the lumbar vertebrae? A. Latissimus dorsi B. Psoas C. Deltoid D. Columnar

B. Psoas The psoas muscles are good references to see if the density of a supine abdominal radiograph is correct. A good radiograph of the abdomen will demonstrate the psoas muscles

A patient hurts in the left anterior part of the thorax. Which oblique would show this area best? A. LAO B. RAO C. RPO D. Lateral

B. RAO A RAO or a LPO will show this area best

Which of the following positions/projections would best demonstrate the axillary portion of the right rib cage? A. AP B. RPO C. RAO D. Supine

B. RPO A RPO or a LAO would best demonstrate the axillary portion of the right rib cage

Which of the following is NOT an artery that originates directly from the aortic arch? A. Brachiocephalic artery B. Right subclavian C. Left carotid D. Left coronary

B. Right subclavian The brachiocephalic, left subclavian, left common carotid, left and right coronaries are arteries that branch off the aortic arch.

The clavicle articulates with which of the following? A. Scapula and humerus B. Scapula and sternum C. Humerus and sternum D. Sternum and spine

B. Scapula and sternum The clavicle articulates with the acromion process of the scapula and the manubrium of the sternum.

What is the meaning of deglutition? A. The chewing of food B. The swallowing of food C. The digestion of food D. The elimination of food

B. The swallowing of food Mastication is the chewing of food. Deglutition is the swallowing of food.

How many chambers are there in the heart? A. 2 B. 3 C. 4 D. 6

C. 4 The left and right atriums and the left and right ventricles make up the four chambers of the heart.

Which of the following positions will best demonstrate the pylorus and duodenal loop? A. Supine B. 45 degree LAO C. 45 degree RAO D. Prone

C. 45 degree RAO The lateral position of the stomach also shows these anatomical structures well.

How long should a patient be upright before the erect radiograph of an acute abdomen series can be taken? A. 1 minute B. 3 minutes C. 5 minutes D. 7 minutes

C. 5 minutes

What percent of the population would be considered as having a sthenic body habitus? A. 15% B. 25% C. 50% D. 75%

C. 50% Hypersthenic (5%); Hyposthenic (35%); Asthenic (10%) make up the other body types.

What is the name for the small air sacs located at the distal ends of the bronchioles? A. Pleura B. Bronchi C. Alveoli D. Capillaries

C. Alveoli Through the walls of the alveoli is how the oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged in the blood.

Which of the following refers to a person's heart beating irregularly? A. Heart attack B. Angina C. Arrhythmia D. Heart murmur

C. Arrhythmia Arrhythmia means not (ar-) having a rhythm, or the absence of a steady heartbeat

Which of the following root words means "heart"? A. Steth B. Cyan C. Cardi D. Angi

C. Cardi

What is the purpose of the thoracic duct? A. Drains mediastinal fluid B. Passes blood into the thorax C. Conveys lymph into the left subclavian vein D. Prevents blood from leaving thorax

C. Conveys lymph into the left subclavian vein The lymphatic system drains interstitial fluid from the tissues into the venous system. The thoracic duct is the largest lymph vessel which allows the passage of lymph into the left subclavian vein

What is the name of a plane that lies at a right angle to the midsagittal plane? A. Oblique plane B. Vertical plane C. Horizontal plane D. Sagittal plane

C. Horizontal plane The horizontal plane passes horizontally through the body dividing it into superior and inferior portions.

Which of the following positions would best demonstrate the rectum filled with barium? A. RPO B. Supine C. Lateral D. Erect

C. Lateral The routine views for a barium enema usually includes a position called the lateral rectum position. It is usually done with the patient on his/her left side

What is the name of the flexure that lies between the transverse colon and the descending colon? A. Ileocecal B. Right colic (hepatic) C. Left colic (splenic) D. Sigmoid

C. Left colic (splenic) The left colic flexure extends upward toward the spleen on the left side of the abdomen

Which of the following terms describes a tumor and actually means "new growth"? A. Carcinoma B. Sarcoma C. Neoplasm D. Osteoma

C. Neoplasm The prefix "neo-" means new, and "plasm" means growth or development. A neoplasm may be benign or malignant.

"Heart attack" is a descriptive term for which of the following clinical conditions? A. Chest pain B. Rapid heart rate C. Occluded coronary artery D. Difficulty breathing

C. Occluded coronary artery

What is it called when air enters the pleural space? A. Pleural effusion B. Hemothorax C. Pneumothorax D. Pneumogram

C. Pneumothorax

In which of the abdominal regions will the duodenum be located? A. Hypogastric B. Epigastric C. Umbilical D. Left hypochondriac

C. Umbilical The abdomen can be divided into nine abdominal regions. The duodenum of the average patient will lie mostly in the umbilical region with a small portion in the right lateral (lumbar) region

Which of the following terms describes a movement toward the midsagittal plane of the body? A. Extension B. Flexion C. Abduction D. Adduction

D. Adducting Adducting the arm would be to move it toward the body

Why is operative cholangiography performed? A. To demonstrate anatomy B. To check for proper drainage into the duodenum C. To check for residual gallstones in the biliary ducts D. All of the above

D. All of the above

How are the floating ribs best visualized? A. Steep oblique B. Lateral C. Above the diaphragm D. Below the diaphragm

D. Below the diaphragm Floating ribs are best demonstrated with an abdominal technique, on full expiration.

Which of the following is a lower respiratory disease? A. Tonsillitis B. Influenza C. Hay fever D. Bronchitis

D. Bronchitis

In the hypersthenic patient, how does the stomach lie? A. Low and vertical B. Low and horizontal C. High and vertical D. High and horizontal

D. High and horizontal

To turn in or inward describes which of the following movements? A. Flex B. Extend C. Adduct D. Invert

D. Invert To invert the feet would be to turn them inward, as is done for an AP pelvis projection.

Which of the following positions will best demonstrate the left colic (splenic) flexure? A. Supine B. Prone C. RAO D. LAO

D. LAO A LAO or a RPO will demonstrate the left colic (splenic) flexure.

Which decubitus position is preferred for demonstrating air and fluid levels in the abdomen? A. Dorsal decubitus B. Ventral decubitus C. Right lateral decubitus D. Left lateral decubitus

D. Left lateral decubitus The left lateral decubitus (patient lying on their left side) is preferred because air will rise and be visible against the shadow of the liver.

The aorta arises from which chamber of the heart? A. Right atrium B. Left atrium C. Right ventricle D. Left ventricle

D. Left ventricle Blood flows from the left ventricle through the aortic valve (semilunar valve) into the aorta.

What is the name of the plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior halves? A. Transverse plane B. Horizontal plane C. Sagittal plane D. Midcoronal plane

D. Midcoronal plane The midcoronal plane passes vertically through the coronal suture of the skull and divides the body into anterior and posterior halves.

Which body plane is centered to the CR for a supine abdominal radiograph? A. Midtransverse B. Midlambdoidal C. Midcoronal D. Midsagittal

D. Midsagittal The midsagittal plane should be centered to the CR or image receptor.

What is the name of the S-shaped portion of the colon that lies proximal to the rectum? A. Descending colon B. Left colic flexure C. Cecum D. Sigmoid colon

D. Sigmoid colon

The constriction or narrowing of a blood vessel is referred to as what? A. Aneurysm B. Edema C. Thrombosis D. Stenosis

D. Stenosis Stenosis is the constriction or narrowing of a vessel

Which of the following positions is used for a general scout radiograph of the abdomen? A. Erect B. Lateral decubitus C. Dorsal decubitus D. Supine

D. Supine A supine scout radiograph of the abdomen will show bowel gas patterns, soft tissue structures, bony structures and calcifications. This image is necessary before contrast agents are introduced into the abdomen, which may superimpose some of these structures

What do you call the inferior end of the sternum? A. Body B. Manubrium C. Angle D. Xiphoid process

D. Xiphoid process The sternum has three parts, the manubrium is superior, the body is in the middle and the xiphoid process is inferior

Which kidney is placed parallel to the image receptor when a 30 degree RPO radiograph is taken?

Left, Because of the psoas muscles along the vertebral column, the kidneys lie at a 30 degree angle with the coronal plane. Therefore, a RPO will put the left kidney parallel to the image receptor and vice versa

Which of the following structures should be seen on a good supine abdominal radiograph? 1. Lumbar transverse processes 2. Psoas muscles 3. Kidney outlines A. 1 & 2 only B. 1 & 3 only C. 2 & 3 only D. 1, 2 & 3

D. 1, 2 & 3 Look for these structures to help you determine if you have a good, quality radiograph of the supine abdomen.

A patient whose blood is lacking in those components that provide the immune response may have what? A. Mononucleosis B. Elephantiasis C. Hodgkin's disease D. AIDS

D. AIDS AIDS is Autoimmune Deficiency Syndrome, when the blood lacks the components that provide an immune response.