ARRT - American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Lower Extremity Procedures Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient arrives in the emergency department with a traumatic injury to the hip and is unable to move the affected leg.
To obtain a lateral projection of the proximal femur, which of the following methods should the technologist employ?

Accepted Answer

Axiolateral inferosuperior (Danelius-Miller method)

Answer

Unilateral 'frog-leg' (Modified Cleaves method)

Answer

AP Oblique (Judet method)

Answer

AP Pelvis with internal rotation

Question 2

When evaluating an AP pelvis radiograph for proper positioning, which of the following indicates the patient was not rotated?

Accepted Answer

The iliac alae and obturator foramina are symmetric.

Answer

The lesser trochanters are not visible.

Answer

The sacrum and coccyx are centered to the pubic symphysis.

Answer

The greater trochanters are seen in profile.

Question 3

A radiograph of an AP oblique foot demonstrates significant overlapping of the bases of the third, fourth, and fifth metatarsals. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this appearance?

Accepted Answer

Excessive medial rotation of the foot.

Answer

Insufficient cephalic angulation of the central ray.

Answer

Plantar flexion of the foot during exposure.

Answer

Insufficient medial rotation of the foot.

Question 4

An emergency room physician orders an ankle series to evaluate the integrity of the entire ankle mortise. Which projection is specifically performed to demonstrate an open tibiotalar and distal tibiofibular joint?

Accepted Answer

AP oblique with 15-20 degree medial rotation

Answer

AP with 45-degree lateral rotation

Answer

Lateral mediolateral

Answer

AP with dorsiflexion

Question 5

Which of the following projections is specifically designed to demonstrate the intercondylar fossa of the femur, often referred to as a 'tunnel' view?

Accepted Answer

PA axial (Camp-Coventry method)

Answer

AP oblique with medial rotation

Answer

Tangential (Settegast method)

Answer

Lateral mediolateral

Question 6

A technologist is performing a plantodorsal (axial) projection of the calcaneus. What is the primary purpose of directing the central ray with a 40-degree cephalic angle?

Accepted Answer

To elongate the calcaneus and demonstrate the subtalar joint.

Answer

To open the talonavicular joint space.

Answer

To project the metatarsals free of superimposition.

Answer

To place the posterior aspect of the calcaneus in profile.