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. The half-value layer (HVL) of an x-ray beam is used to assess: → Beam quality (penetrating ability/energy spectrum)
5. 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)
6. 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
7. How should an Radiography Exam professional present complex information to non-experts? → Translate into accessible language, use visuals, and check for understanding
8. Which property of x-rays allows them to penetrate matter? → Short wavelength and high frequency
9. 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
10. Which factor primarily determines the spatial resolution of a digital detector system? → Pixel size (detector element size)
11. PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) uses which standard protocol for storing, transmitting, and displaying medical images? → DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine)
12. Compton scatter is most likely to occur when x-ray photons interact with which type of electrons? → Outer-shell (valence) electrons
13. What anatomical structures are primarily evaluated during a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG)? → The bladder and urethra during filling and voiding phases
14. The heel effect in radiography refers to: → Reduced x-ray intensity on the anode side of the beam compared to the cathode side
15. Why is documentation important in Radiography Exam risk management? → It creates an audit trail, supports decision-making, and demonstrates due diligence
16. In a quality management program, a control chart with data points outside the ±2 standard deviation range indicates: → A systematic process problem requiring investigation
17. 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
18. 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
19. The principle of 'beneficence' in radiography ethics means: → Acting in the best interest of the patient
20. Which term describes the process of adjusting image brightness and contrast after acquisition in digital radiography? → Postprocessing (image manipulation)
21. 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
22. A facility's radiation protection program must include a written policy for: → Monitoring occupational dose and reporting to the radiation safety officer
23. Why is evidence-based practice important in Radiography Exam? → It integrates best available evidence with professional expertise for optimal outcomes
24. The gantry in a CT scanner houses the x-ray tube and detector array. The typical gantry rotation time for a modern CT scanner is: → 0.27–0.5 seconds per rotation
25. Which of the following research designs is best suited for establishing a cause-and-effect relationship between an intervention and an outcome? → Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
26. A patient tells a radiographer they are not sure if they signed a consent form for their procedure. The radiographer should: → Check the patient's chart and notify the radiologist if consent is not documented
27. Coherent (classical) scattering differs from Compton scattering in that coherent scattering: → Produces no ionization and the scattered photon has the same energy as the incident photon
28. What is the primary function of the image intensifier in a fluoroscopic system? → To amplify and convert X-ray energy into a brightened visible image, reducing patient dose
29. Which contrast medium is most commonly used in a barium enema (lower GI series) procedure? → Barium sulfate suspension
30. During a quality control assessment, kVp accuracy is typically evaluated using a: → Digital kVp meter (non-invasive kVp meter)