Deck 19: Quality Control and Environmental Safety in Dental Radiography

Question 1

A step wedge is a device of layered metal steps of varying thickness used to:

A) determine film freshness.
B) determine safety of the safe light.
C) evaluate tube head stability.
D) test the strength of processing chemicals.

Answer 1

test the strength of processing chemicals.

Question 2

Which of these statements is FALSE?

A) The coin test monitors darkroom safelighting.
B) Processing solutions must be replenished to keep optimal.
C) The fresh film test can be used to monitor the quality of each box of film.
D) Intensifying screens should be cleaned daily with solutions recommended by the manufacturer.

Answer 2

Intensifying screens should be cleaned daily with solutions recommended by the manufacturer.

Question 3

The expiration date manufacturers place on radiograph film boxes indicates that films:

A) should not be used for patient exposures after this date.
B) may be safely used for one additional month after this date.
C) may be safely used for a 6-month period after this date.
D) may be used safely after performing a quality control test.

Answer 3

should not be used for patient exposures after this date.

Question 4

Each of the following conditions is necessary for safelighting EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A) Adequate bulb wattage
B) Appropriate filter color
C) Safe distance from working area
D) Black darkroom walls

Question 5

Which of these statements regarding the competency operators is FALSE?

A) They must be able to carry out an effective quality assurance program.
B) They must be competent in exposing, processing, and mounting dental radiographs.
C) They must know when to prescribe dental radiographs.
D) They must be able to identify errors that occur on dental radiographs.

Question 6

Each of the following statements regarding the coin test is correct EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A) A true test of the safelight uses a film pre-exposed to a small amount of radiation.
B) When the period of exposure to the safelight is up, the film is processed as usual.
C) A coin is placed on top of the unwrapped film for 10 minutes.
D) A coin test uses a coin and a lightly exposed film to determine safelight adequacy.

Question 7

Each of the following statements regarding quality assurance of the automatic processor is correct EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A) Solution levels must be replenished and changed on a regular basis.
B) Maintenance procedures and tests need to be performed annually under normal conditions.
C) A failed test should prompt the operator to check the solutions, the water supply, and the film dryer.
D) The water supply must be turned on and the dryer operating correctly to produce a clear, dry film.

Question 8

In automatic processing, the most likely cause of damp films is that:

A) the water level too high.
B) the dryer was not operating correctly.
C) distilled water was not used.
D) the rinse spray was too forceful.

Question 9

Each of the following statements regarding testing for darkroom light leaks is correct EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A) All lights, including the safelight, should be turned off.
B) White-light leaks may be marked with tape or chalk so that they can subsequently be sealed.
C) White-light leaks are visible as soon as the lights in the darkroom are turned off.
D) Possible sources of light leaks include around the entry door and around pipes leading into the darkroom.

Question 10

In most locations, a qualified health physicist must perform x-ray machine testing according to state and local regulations.

Question 11

Radiographic competencies of the dental assistant and dental hygienist include each of the following EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A) The ability to recognize quality radiographs
B) The ability to identify the cause of poor-quality radiographs
C) The ability to complete necessary state documentation of safe operating equipment
D) The ability to apply appropriate corrective actions to failed quality control tests

Question 12

Which of the following indicates a passed coin test?

A) No image of a coin
B) A faint image of the coin
C) An undistorted image of the coin
D) A dark image of the coin

Question 13

Monitoring the strength of the manual processing solutions should be performed:

A) daily.
B) weekly.
C) monthly.
D) quarterly.

Question 14

The dental radiographer can play a role in monitoring the x-ray machine.

Question 15

Each of the following is a quality control measure EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A) Dental x-ray machine output test
B) Safelight evaluation
C) Patient compliance determination
D) Test for darkroom light leaks

Question 16

Continuing education courses contribute to radiographic competence. Competent radiographers are key to quality assurance programs and reducing patient radiation exposure by avoiding retakes.

A) The first statement is true. The second statement is false.
B) The first statement is false. The second statement is true.
C) Both statements are true.
D) Both statements are false.

Question 17

Which of the following statements regarding processing solutions is correct?

A) A dental radiographic normalizing and monitoring device can be used to monitor the developer.
B) When the developer solution oxidizes and deteriorates, the radiographic images darken.
C) The fixer is the most critical of processing solutions and demands careful attention.
D) Use of the step wedge to monitor the developer should occur at the end of each day.

Question 18

A qualified health physicist should examine the equipment for which of the following failed tests?

A) Radiation output consistency
B) Darkroom safelight adequacy
C) Fresh film test
D) Reference film test

Question 19

Which of the following statements regarding dental x-ray machine output consistency testing is correct?

A) It should be performed by a qualified expert only.
B) Multiple images that are identical in density and contrast indicate a failed test.
C) Each test film should be processed immediately after exposure.
D) It uses a step wedge.

Question 20

Each of the following applies to all oral health care team members EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A) They should be provided with training opportunities to assure competency.
B) They are responsible for participating in state inspections.
C) They can be given authority to carry out specific aspects of the quality control program.
D) They must be informed of how and why quality control tests are to be performed.

Question 21

What is the name of the device made of layered metal steps of varying thickness used to determine film density and contrast?

Question 22

Establishing a quality control program for radiographic procedures helps to increase the quality of radiographs produced and decrease the incidence of retake radiographs.

Question 23

Dental x-ray machine tube head stability should be tested annually.

Question 24

Quality control is the planning, implementation, and evaluation of procedures used to produce high-quality radiographs with maximum diagnostic information while minimizing radiation exposure.

Question 25

Extraoral film cassettes do not require quality control tests.

Question 26

There are quality control tests for all radiographic equipment and procedures including the personnel who work with the systems.

Question 27

A monitoring and maintenance schedule listing all the quality control tests and the name of the person responsible for each test should be generated and posted.

Question 28

Quality control testing of the automatic processing system should be performed monthly.

Question 29

Dental x-ray machine output analysis should be performed annually.

Question 30

A device consisting of increasing increments of an absorbing material is called a "reference film."

Question 31

Assessing the radiographic equipment and systems in use, and developing a written plan for quality control are the first steps in establishing a quality administration program.

Question 32

The dental x-ray machine should be tested for tube head stability periodically.

Question 33

The darkroom should be evaluated to be sure it is free from chemical fumes.

Question 34

Quality assurance is a series of tests to assure that the radiographic system is functioning properly and that the radiographs produced are of an acceptable level of quality.

Question 35

When not in use, the x-ray unit support arm should be placed in the open position.

Question 36

Operator competency can reduce patient radiation exposure.

Question 37

After exposing the first film out of a newly opened box, the film should be processed and examined to determine if it is fresh.

Question 38

Keeping a log of retakes can help identify the radiographer who needs continuing education.

Question 39

Periodic inspection of viewboxes, cassettes, and intensifying screens and tests to evaluate safelighting of the darkroom are part of a series of tests called what?

Question 40

Only the dentist has the authority to carry out quality control tests on radiographic systems used in the practice.

Question 41

How long after closing the darkroom door and turning off the lights would light leaks become visible?

Question 42

What is quality assurance in dental radiography?

Question 43

In the coin test, how long is a coin placed on top of the unwrapped film?

Question 44

Which processing solution is most critical and demands careful attention?

Question 45

What does the outline of a coin on the processed film used in the coin test indicate?

Question 46

What is a reference film?

Question 47

When not in use, should the PID be pointing up?

Question 48

What is the key to peak performance of an automatic processor?