Radiography Exam Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Radiography Exam facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which artifact appears as a regular, wavy interference pattern when a stationary grid is used with an oscillating digital detector? → Moiré pattern
2. A lead apron QC program should include which of the following tests performed at least annually? → Fluoroscopic or radiographic inspection for cracks or defects
3. To lessen the back strain involved with transporting patients from the stretcher to the x-ray table, you should: → pull the patient
4. Which type of ionizing radiation has the greatest penetrating power? → Gamma rays
5. The half-value layer (HVL) of an x-ray beam is used to assess: → Beam quality (penetrating ability/energy spectrum)
6. Which federal agency is primarily responsible for regulating radiation-producing X-ray equipment standards in the United States? → FDA Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH)
7. Which of the following is an example of an intentional tort that a radiographer could commit? → Performing an exam on a patient without obtaining consent
8. How should an Radiography Exam professional present complex information to non-experts? → Translate into accessible language, use visuals, and check for understanding
9. Which modality uses gradient magnetic fields superimposed on the static magnetic field to spatially encode the MR signal? → Gradient coils
10. Which property of x-rays allows them to penetrate matter? → Short wavelength and high frequency
11. Which class of iodinated contrast media has the lowest osmolality and is considered safest for intravascular administration, especially in high-risk patients? → Nonionic iso-osmolar contrast media
12. Which of the following describes the ALARA principle? → As Low As Reasonably Achievable
13. For a lateral projection of the cervical spine, the central ray is directed to: → C4
14. Which factor primarily determines the spatial resolution of a digital detector system? → Pixel size (detector element size)
15. PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) uses which standard protocol for storing, transmitting, and displaying medical images? → DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine)
16. The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) test pattern is used in radiology to evaluate: → Display monitor performance and quality
17. Compton scatter is most likely to occur when x-ray photons interact with which type of electrons? → Outer-shell (valence) electrons
18. What anatomical structures are primarily evaluated during a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)? → The bladder and urethra during filling and voiding phases
19. What is the primary purpose of using automatic exposure control (AEC) in radiography? → To terminate exposure when sufficient radiation reaches the detector
20. The heel effect in radiography refers to: → Reduced x-ray intensity on the anode side of the beam compared to the cathode side
21. A grid with a ratio of 12:1 compared to an 8:1 grid will: → Remove more scatter radiation but require more mAs
22. Why is documentation important in Radiography Exam risk management? → It creates an audit trail, supports decision-making, and demonstrates due diligence
23. In a quality management program, a control chart with data points outside the ±2 standard deviation range indicates: → A systematic process problem requiring investigation
24. In digital radiography, the exposure indicator (EI) number on a computed radiography image is used to: → Provide feedback on the radiation dose delivered to the imaging plate
25. Which federal regulation requires that the x-ray beam be collimated to no larger than the size of the image receptor? → 21 CFR 1020.30–1020.33 (CDRH)
26. What does the term 'penumbra' refer to in radiographic imaging? → Geometric unsharpness at the edge of a shadow
27. Which type of radiation interaction with matter results in the complete absorption of an x-ray photon by an inner-shell electron, ejecting it from the atom? → Photoelectric effect
28. The principle of 'beneficence' in radiography ethics means: → Acting in the best interest of the patient
29. Which term describes the process of adjusting image brightness and contrast after acquisition in digital radiography? → Postprocessing (image manipulation)
30. During a small bowel follow-through (SBFT), how frequently are radiographs typically obtained after the patient ingests barium? → Every 15-30 minutes until barium reaches the terminal ileum