Deck 1: Ionizing Radiation and Basic Principles of X-Ray Generation

Question 1

The difference in the electromagnetic spectrum between x-rays and visible light lies in the:

A)wavelength
B)frequency
C)energy
D)subatomic particles

Answer 1

wavelength

Question 2

The determination of the size and shape of the x-ray beam is called ________.

Answer 2

collimation

Question 3

Identify the metal used in the focal spot of the x-ray tube:

A)tungsten
B)molybdenum
C)copper
D)iron

Answer 3

tungsten

Question 4

If a radiograph is described as "underpenetrated," then the error must be:

A)excessive kVp
B)too little mA
C)excessive mA
D)too little kVp

Question 5

The amount of heat produced in the x-ray tube is ________ than the amount of radiation produced.

Question 6

Ionization occurs:

A)when an atom gains a neutron
B)when the atom has no charge
C)when an atom loses a proton
D)when an atom loses an electron

Question 7

The quality of the x-ray photons is determined by the __________.

Question 8

When designing barriers it is important to remember that x-rays travel in _______ lines.

Question 9

A diagnostic film is made at 10 mA and 4 impulses. The exposure that would produce the same image at 5 mA would be:

A)5 impulses
B)10 impulses
C)8 impulses
D)45 impulses

Question 10

Because of the alternating current supplied to the x-ray tube it is considered to be _______.

Question 11

All of the following are properties of x-rays EXCEPT:

A)x-rays are invisible
B)x-rays travel in wavy lines
C)x-rays can penetrate structures
D)x-rays can adversely affect human tissue

Question 12

Which of the following is used in the high-voltage circuit?

A)a rectifier
B)a step-up transformer
C)a step-down transformer
D)a fuse

Question 13

Collimator cutoff (cone cutting)is caused by:

A)improper horizontal angulation
B)over filtration
C)improper beam film alignment
D)improper vertical angulation

Question 14

The target or focal spot in the x-ray tube can be found at the:

A)positively charged cathode
B)positively charged anode
C)negatively charged cathode
D)negatively charged anode

Question 15

Examples of particulate radiation include:

A)alpha particles
B)electrons
C)neutrons
D)all of the above

Question 16

The release of electrons from the hot tungsten filament at the cathode is called the __________.

Question 17

Identify the physicist who discovered x-rays:

A)Hittorf-Crookes
B)Roentgen
C)Edison
D)Kells

Question 18

If the useful beam is not centered on the film in the patient's mouth, the result will be:

A)foreshortening
B)elongation
C)collimator cutoff
D)overlapping

Question 19

The quantity of x-ray photons produced is determined by the _________ setting.

Question 20

Identify the particles that compose the nucleus of an atom:

A)electrons and photons
B)electrons and protons
C)protons and neutrons
D)neutrons

Question 21

The thickness of aluminum that will reduce the intensity of the x-ray beam by 50% is termed:

A)half value layer
B)filtration
C)collimation
D)penetrating power

Question 22

Pointed, plastic cones are not used in dental radiology because:

A)the cones are difficult for the practitioner to line up correct anatomic structures
B)the cones cause the production of excess secondary and scatter radiation
C)the cones require a higher kVp setting on the control panel
D)the cones require an increase in the time setting

Question 23

The total x-ray energy produced by the collision of the electrons with the target inside the x-ray tube is approximately:

A)less than 1%
B)10%-20%
C)50%
D)99%