ARRT Upper Extremity Procedures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: On a correctly positioned lateral forearm radiograph, the distal radius and ulna should appear:
- Completely separated
- Superimposed at the distal radioulnar joint (Correct answer)
- Parallel with a 1 cm gap
- Crossed
Correct answer: Superimposed at the distal radioulnar joint
A true lateral forearm shows slight superimposition of the distal radius and ulna at the distal radioulnar joint.
Question 2: Which wrist projection best demonstrates the pisiform free of superimposition?
- PA projection
- Lateral projection
- Medial oblique (pronation) projection (Correct answer)
- Ulnar deviation
Correct answer: Medial oblique (pronation) projection
The medial (internal) oblique wrist projection rotates the wrist 45° medially to project the pisiform clear of the triquetrum.
Question 3: For a PA projection of the clavicle, the CR is typically angled how many degrees cephalad?
- 0° (perpendicular)
- 5–10°
- 15–30° (Correct answer)
- 45°
Correct answer: 15–30°
A 15–30° cephalad angulation projects the clavicle above the ribs and lung apex for better visualization.
Question 4: In a lateral projection of the elbow, the arm is flexed to:
- 45°
- 60°
- 90° (Correct answer)
- 120°
Correct answer: 90°
The elbow is flexed 90° for the lateral projection so the olecranon process is profiled and the joint is fully open.
Question 5: The Barton fracture of the wrist is defined as:
- An extra-articular fracture of the distal radius with dorsal angulation
- An intra-articular fracture of the dorsal or volar rim of the distal radius with carpal subluxation (Correct answer)
- A fracture of the radial styloid
- A comminuted distal radius fracture with ulnar styloid fracture
Correct answer: An intra-articular fracture of the dorsal or volar rim of the distal radius with carpal subluxation
A Barton fracture is an intra-articular shear fracture of the dorsal or volar rim of the distal radius associated with radiocarpal joint subluxation.
Question 6: For the AP projection of the shoulder, the arm is placed in which position to demonstrate the greater tubercle in profile laterally?
- Internal rotation
- Neutral rotation
- External rotation (Correct answer)
- Abduction 90°
Correct answer: External rotation
External rotation of the arm places the greater tubercle in full lateral profile for the AP shoulder projection.
Question 7: Which method places the patient prone with the arm abducted 90° and the CR directed 25° medially to visualize the posterior glenoid rim?
- Stryker notch method
- West Point method (Correct answer)
- Hobbs modification
- Clements method
Correct answer: West Point method
The West Point method is performed prone with 25° medial and 25° caudal CR angulation to profile the anterior-inferior glenoid rim for Bankart lesion detection.
ARRT Upper Extremity Procedures 5
On a correctly positioned lateral forearm radiograph, the distal radius and ulna should appear: