CT Practice Test Welcome to your CT Practice Test 1. CT: Patient Care A patient with a known allergy to iodinated contrast media requires a contrast-enhanced CT scan. What is the most appropriate initial action for the technologist to take? Proceed with the scan without contrast Administer a steroid and antihistamine premedication protocol Use a non-iodinated contrast agent Cancel the scan immediately None 2. CT: Patient Care When positioning a patient for a CT scan of the abdomen, which of the following practices is essential to ensure optimal image quality? Asking the patient to hold their breath during the scan Elevating the patient's legs Having the patient drink a cup of water Placing a pillow under the patient's head None 3. CT: Patient Care During a CT examination, a patient suddenly exhibits signs of a contrast media reaction. What is the first step that should be taken? Continue monitoring the patient's vital signs Stop the contrast media injection immediately Complete the scan as quickly as possible Administer an antihistamine to the patient None 4. CT: Patient Care In CT imaging, what is the primary reason for using a lower IV contrast flow rate in a patient with a small bore peripheral IV? To reduce the risk of extravasation To decrease the total dose of contrast To prolong the duration of the scan To enhance the visualization of vascular structures None 5. CT: Patient Care What is the most appropriate action if a patient develops hives during a CT scan with IV contrast? Immediately administer epinephrine Observe the patient for more severe symptoms Stop the contrast injection and notify a physician Continue the scan to quickly finish the procedure None 6. CT: Patient Care For a patient with severe claustrophobia, which of the following strategies is most effective in facilitating completion of a CT scan? Increasing the speed of the scan Providing detailed explanations of the procedure Administering a sedative, if prescribed Using a larger bore CT scanner None 7. CT: Patient Care When a non-English speaking patient requires a CT scan, what is the most appropriate way to communicate the procedure details to ensure understanding? Use simple English words and gestures Provide written instructions in English Use a professional medical interpreter Ask a family member to translate None 8. CT: Patient Care A patient scheduled for a CT scan of the chest has a heart rate of 110 bpm. What consideration should be taken regarding the scan timing? Delay the scan until the heart rate decreases Administer a beta-blocker under physician guidance Adjust the scan parameters to accommodate for the high heart rate Proceed with the scan without any modifications None 9. CT: Patient Care When obtaining informed consent for a CT procedure involving contrast, what information must be explicitly communicated to the patient? The cost of the procedure The technical details of the scanner Potential risks and side effects of the contrast media The qualifications of the radiologist None 10. CT: Patient Care For a patient with a history of renal failure, what is a critical consideration before administering iodinated contrast for a CT scan? Evaluating the patient's creatinine levels Checking the patient's blood pressure Confirming the patient's allergy history Reviewing the patient's medication list None 11. CT: Patient Care In the context of a CT scan, why is it important to verify the patient's history of diabetes, especially if they are taking metformin? Metformin can interfere with the absorption of IV contrast Patients on metformin have an increased risk of contrast-induced nephropathy Metformin can cause a rare, but serious condition called lactic acidosis after receiving IV contrast Diabetes increases the risk of allergic reactions to contrast media None 12. CT: Patient Care What is the most important action to take when a patient experiences a vasovagal reaction during a CT scan? Elevate the patient's legs and monitor vital signs Administer oxygen immediately Continue the scan to quickly complete the procedure Provide fluids intravenously None 13. CT: Patient Care When performing a CT scan on a pediatric patient, what is the most important consideration to ensure patient safety? Use the highest possible dose for clarity Apply adult scanning protocols for consistency Utilize sedation for all pediatric patients Adjust the radiation dose based on the child's size None 14. CT: Safety During a CT procedure, when should the technologist apply the ALARA principle? Only during pediatric exams Throughout the entire procedure Only in the case of pregnant patients When imaging the abdominal region None 15. CT: Safety Which of the following materials is most effective for shielding against X-rays in CT imaging? Lead Aluminum Plastic Glass None 16. CT: Safety In CT imaging, what is the main purpose of the collimation? To increase the field of view To reduce patient dose by limiting the beam width To enhance the resolution of the image To speed up the imaging process None 17. CT: Safety What is the significance of pitch in CT scanning regarding patient safety? A higher pitch decreases radiation exposure A lower pitch increases image quality A higher pitch increases scan time A lower pitch is used to enhance 3D reconstruction None 18. CT: Safety When considering contrast media for a CT scan, what is a crucial safety consideration? The patient's hair color The patient's previous exposure to contrast media The type of clothing the patient is wearing The patient's dietary restrictions None 19. CT: Safety What is the most appropriate action if a patient experiences an adverse reaction to iodinated contrast during a CT exam? Continue the exam while monitoring the patient Immediately stop the administration of contrast and follow emergency protocols Increase the flow rate of the contrast Switch to a non-iodinated contrast agent None 20. CT: Safety How does time factor into the ALARA principle in CT imaging? Longer scan times are encouraged to ensure clear images Minimizing scan time reduces the patient's radiation exposure Scan time has no impact on radiation dose Increasing scan time allows for lower doses of radiation per slice None 21. CT: Safety In the context of CT imaging, what is the significance of the dose-length product (DLP)? It indicates the speed of the CT scanner It measures the spatial resolution of the images It provides a dose estimate that reflects both scan length and radiation intensity It determines the contrast resolution of the CT images None 22. CT: Safety What is the primary reason for performing a scout scan in CT imaging? To identify the exact location for the detailed scan To calibrate the CT machine To check the functionality of the X-ray tube To provide a preliminary image quality check None 23. CT: Safety Why is it important to verify a patient's pregnancy status before a CT scan? To choose the appropriate scan parameters To prevent unnecessary radiation exposure to the fetus To decide the need for contrast media To adjust the patient positioning None 24. CT: Safety When considering the use of gadolinium-based contrast agents in CT imaging, what is a critical safety concern? The potential for nephrogenic systemic fibrosis in patients with kidney impairment The risk of electromagnetic interference with medical devices The possibility of increased radiation exposure The chance of allergic reactions to the CT scanner's noise None 25. CT: Safety In CT imaging, what is the main reason for monitoring the cumulative radiation dose a patient receives over time? To ensure the machine is functioning correctly To comply with insurance reimbursement policies To minimize the risk of radiation-induced effects To track the patient's recovery progress None 26. CT: Safety When considering contrast media for a CT scan, what is a crucial safety consideration? The patient's hair color The patient's previous exposure to contrast media The type of clothing the patient is wearing The patient's dietary restrictions None 27. CT: Procedures When performing a CT of the head, what is the optimal slice thickness to accurately detect small intracranial lesions? 1-2 mm 5-6 mm 8-10 mm 12-15 mm None 28. CT: Procedures In a CT abdominal scan, what is the primary reason for administering oral contrast? To reduce radiation exposure To enhance the visibility of the gastrointestinal tract To decrease the scanning time To enhance the visibility of the renal structures None 29. CT: Procedures For a CT pulmonary angiogram, what is the crucial timing aspect to ensure optimal contrast enhancement of the pulmonary arteries? Delayed phase after 60 seconds Arterial phase at 20-25 seconds Venous phase at 45-50 seconds Immediate phase within 5 seconds None 30. CT: Procedures In CT imaging, what is the primary advantage of using a helical (spiral) scan over a conventional step-and-shoot technique? Lower radiation dose Shorter scan time Improved spatial resolution Easier patient positioning None 31. CT: Procedures When performing a CT scan of the abdomen, why is it important to instruct the patient to hold their breath during the scan? To prevent the machine from moving To reduce the risk of radiation exposure To avoid motion artifacts To enhance contrast uptake None 32. CT: Procedures What is the significance of using a lower tube voltage (kVp) in pediatric CT imaging? Increases image noise Reduces radiation dose Enhances contrast resolution Decreases image acquisition time None 33. CT: Procedures In CT imaging, what parameter adjustment is essential when scanning a patient with a metallic implant to reduce artifact? Increase the tube current (mA) Decrease the slice thickness Increase the tube voltage (kVp) Decrease the field of view None 34. CT: Procedures During a CT scan of the chest, what is the key reason for using a high-resolution algorithm? To increase the scan speed To reduce patient radiation dose To improve visualization of lung parenchyma To decrease the need for contrast media None 35. CT: Procedures Why is it important to use a non-ionic, iso-osmolar contrast agent in patients with renal impairment undergoing a CT scan? To enhance image quality To prevent contrast-induced nephropathy To reduce scan time To increase patient comfort None 36. CT: Procedures What is the main purpose of utilizing dual-energy CT (DECT) in imaging of gouty arthritis? To reduce scanning time To decrease radiation dose To differentiate between uric acid and calcium crystals To improve the spatial resolution None 37. CT: Procedures In a cardiac CT scan, why is beta-blocker administration recommended prior to the procedure? To increase heart rate To decrease heart rate To enhance contrast resolution To reduce patient anxiety None 38. CT: Procedures For a CT enterography procedure, why is it necessary for patients to ingest a large volume of neutral oral contrast? To dilate the bowel and improve lesion detection To reduce the radiation dose To decrease the scan time To enhance renal visualization None 39. CT: Procedures In CT perfusion imaging of the brain, what parameter is primarily measured to assess the extent of a stroke? Total brain volume Cerebral blood flow (CBF) White to gray matter ratio Skull thickness None 40. CT: Procedures Why is it important to administer intravenous contrast in a CT scan when assessing for pancreatic tumors? To increase scan time To improve visualization of the pancreas To reduce radiation exposure To enhance abdominal muscle delineation None 41. CT: Procedures What is the primary reason for using a saline flush after administering intravenous contrast in CT imaging? To reduce the total scan time To decrease the risk of allergic reactions To ensure maximum utilization of the contrast agent To increase patient comfort None 42. CT: Procedures In CT imaging, what is the advantage of using iterative reconstruction techniques over filtered back projection? Lower radiation dose Longer scan times Increased image noise Higher contrast media use None 43. CT: Procedures When performing a CT scan for a suspected appendicitis, why is it important to include the pelvis in the scan range? To assess for urinary tract involvement To evaluate potential lower abdominal pathologies To check for hip joint abnormalities To ensure complete visualization of the appendix None 44. CT: Procedures In a CT scan for lung cancer staging, why is it essential to include the liver and adrenal glands in the scan? To check for common metastasis sites To assess for unrelated hepatobiliary disease To evaluate kidney function To increase radiation dose efficiency None 45. CT: Procedures Why is it necessary to use a higher tube current (m when scanning a larger patient in CT? A) To reduce scan time To enhance image contrast To compensate for increased patient attenuation To decrease radiation dose None 46. CT: Procedures In a CT angiography 'CTA' of the chest, what is the importance of timing the contrast bolus? To highlight bone structures To reduce the need for sedation To enhance vascular structures at the optimal phase To decrease the volume of contrast used None 47. CT: Procedures What is the rationale for using a dual-phase CT scan in evaluating liver lesions? To assess bone density To evaluate lesion vascularity during different phases To decrease patient movement artifacts To reduce radiation exposure None 48. CT: Procedures In CT urography, why is it important to acquire images in the excretory phase? To visualize renal cortex thickness To assess the patency of the ureters To measure bladder wall thickness To evaluate bone structures adjacent to the urinary tract None 49. CT: Procedures Why is it critical to use ECG gating in cardiac CT imaging? To synchronize image acquisition with the cardiac cycle To enhance liver contrast To reduce the need for oral contrast To increase scan speed None 50. CT: Procedures When performing a CT scan of the spine, why is it essential to align the gantry parallel to the intervertebral discs? To reduce radiation dose to adjacent organs To optimize the visualization of disc spaces and spinal alignment To enhance the contrast of the spinal cord To decrease the scan duration None 51. CT: Procedures Why is it necessary to perform a non-contrast CT scan of the head prior to a contrast-enhanced study in patients with suspected acute stroke? To identify bone fractures To assess for the presence of hemorrhage To evaluate sinus patency To measure ventricle size None 52. CT: Procedures In CT imaging of the abdomen, why is a post-contrast delayed phase sometimes acquired after the initial contrast-enhanced phase? To evaluate bowel peristalsis To assess the washout characteristics of renal lesions To measure the liver size more accurately To check for immediate allergic reactions to contrast None 53. CT: Procedures Why is breath-hold instruction critical during a thoracic CT scan? To enhance the contrast resolution of the heart To minimize motion artifacts from breathing To decrease the scan time To reduce the radiation dose to the lungs None 54. CT: Procedures In a CT scan of the pelvis, why is it important to instruct the patient to empty their bladder before the procedure? To reduce the risk of radiation-induced cystitis To improve the visualization of pelvic structures To decrease the likelihood of patient movement To enhance the contrast differentiation of the bowel None 55. CT: Procedures For a patient undergoing a CT scan for suspected renal stones, why is a non-contrast scan typically preferred? To enhance the visualization of the ureters To prevent allergic reactions to contrast To differentiate renal stones from surrounding tissue To assess renal function None 56. CT: Procedures In the context of a multiphase CT scan of the liver, why is the arterial phase particularly important for detecting hepatocellular carcinoma? To observe the biliary tree more clearly To identify the liver's arterial supply and lesion hypervascularity To assess liver function To evaluate the portal venous system None 57. CT: Procedures Why is it important to acquire a high-resolution chest CT (HRCT) at full inspiration? To reduce motion artifacts from the heart To enhance visualization of the airways and lung parenchyma To decrease the time required for the scan To minimize the radiation dose None 58. CT: Procedures In CT colonography, why is insufflation of the colon with air or CO2 necessary? To enhance the absorption of oral contrast To decrease the examination time To distend the colon for optimal visualization To reduce the radiation exposure to the patient None 59. CT: Procedures Why is it crucial to use a low kV setting in pediatric CT imaging? To enhance the visualization of soft tissues To increase the speed of image acquisition To reduce radiation dose To improve the detection of calcifications None 60. CT: Procedures What is the primary reason for performing a dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) CT in the evaluation of renal masses? To determine the mass's growth rate To assess the enhancement pattern of the mass To evaluate the renal excretory function To measure the size of the renal pelvis None 61. CT: Procedures Why is it beneficial to use automated tube current modulation (ATCM) in CT imaging? To enhance the image resolution To reduce image noise To decrease the contrast media volume To optimize radiation dose based on patient size None 62. CT: Procedures In the context of a CT-guided biopsy, why is needle trajectory planning essential? To ensure the fastest possible procedure To avoid critical structures and reduce complications To increase the needle visibility To minimize the amount of contrast used None 63. CT: Procedures Why is it important to perform a CT cystogram in the delayed phase after contrast administration? To evaluate the kidneys' function To assess bladder wall thickness To detect possible bladder leaks or injuries To observe the ureteral jet effect None 64. CT: Procedures For CT angiography of the aorta, why is the timing of contrast injection crucial? To highlight lymph node structures To ensure optimal enhancement of the aortic lumen To visualize the surrounding soft tissues better To reduce the overall radiation dose None 65. CT: Procedures Why is it important to monitor the patient's renal function before administering iodinated contrast in a CT scan? To prevent contrast-induced nephropathy To enhance the contrast's effectiveness To reduce the likelihood of motion artifacts To determine the appropriate scan delay None 66. CT: Procedures In a CT scan assessing for acute ischemic stroke, why is it vital to differentiate between grey and white matter? To determine the age of the stroke To identify the presence of hemorrhage To assess cerebral atrophy To evaluate the extent of ischemic damage None 67. CT: Image Production What is the primary function of a beam hardening filter in CT imaging? To increase the contrast resolution To reduce patient dose To decrease image noise To homogenize the X-ray beam None 68. CT: Image Production In CT imaging, what is the effect of increasing the matrix size on spatial resolution and patient dose? Increased spatial resolution and increased patient dose Increased spatial resolution and decreased patient dose Decreased spatial resolution and increased patient dose Decreased spatial resolution and decreased patient dose None 69. CT: Image Production Which of the following parameters is NOT directly controlled by the operator in a typical CT scan? Tube current Slice thickness Patient positioning X-ray beam spectrum None 70. CT: Image Production What is the primary purpose of using a bowtie filter in CT imaging? To reduce scatter radiation To enhance image detail To balance the X-ray intensity across the field of view To increase the tube current efficiency None 71. CT: Image Production In CT imaging, what effect does increasing the pitch have on image quality and patient dose? Increased image quality and increased patient dose Increased image quality and decreased patient dose Decreased image quality and increased patient dose Decreased image quality and decreased patient dose None 72. CT: Image Production What is the significance of the reconstruction kernel in CT image processing? It determines the patient positioning. It controls the X-ray beam spectrum. It influences the image noise and resolution. It adjusts the gantry tilt. None 73. CT: Image Production In CT imaging, what is the primary consequence of using a higher tube voltage (kVp)? Increased spatial resolution Increased image noise Decreased contrast resolution Decreased patient dose None 74. CT: Image Production How does the use of iterative reconstruction techniques in CT imaging compare to traditional filtered back projection in terms of image quality and radiation dose? Higher image quality and higher radiation dose with iterative reconstruction Higher image quality and lower radiation dose with iterative reconstruction Lower image quality and higher radiation dose with iterative reconstruction Lower image quality and lower radiation dose with iterative reconstruction None 75. CT: Image Production What is the role of the detector efficiency in CT image quality? It directly influences the X-ray tube current. It affects the homogeneity of the X-ray beam. It impacts the image resolution and noise. It determines the speed of the gantry rotation. None 76. CT: Image Production When considering CT image artifacts, what is typically the cause of beam hardening artifacts? Insufficient X-ray beam filtration Patient movement during scanning Variations in tissue attenuation Electrical interference with the detectors None 77. CT: Image Production How does the window width setting in CT image viewing affect the appearance of the image? It changes the level of X-ray beam penetration. It alters the range of Hounsfield units displayed. It modifies the patient dose. It adjusts the detector sensitivity. None 78. CT: Image Production In the context of CT imaging, what is the impact of increasing the tube current (m A) Enhanced image detail but increased radiation exposure Reduced image detail but decreased radiation exposure Decreased contrast resolution Increased beam hardening artifacts None 79. CT: Image Production What does the term "dual-energy CT" refer to, and how does it benefit image interpretation? Using two different matrix sizes for image reconstruction Scanning with two different gantry speeds Acquiring images with two different X-ray energy levels Applying two different types of contrast media None 80. CT: Image Production What is the significance of the slice thickness in CT imaging regarding detail and radiation dose? Thinner slices provide more detail and increase radiation dose Thinner slices provide less detail and decrease radiation dose Thicker slices provide more detail and increase radiation dose Thicker slices provide less detail and decrease radiation dose None 81. CT: Image Production How does the field of view (FOV) affect the spatial resolution in CT imaging? A larger FOV increases spatial resolution. A larger FOV decreases spatial resolution. A smaller FOV increases spatial resolution. The FOV has no effect on spatial resolution. None 82. CT: Image Production In CT imaging, how does collimation width affect image quality and patient dose? Narrower collimation improves image quality and increases patient dose. Narrower collimation reduces image quality and decreases patient dose. Wider collimation improves image quality and increases patient dose. Wider collimation reduces image quality and decreases patient dose. None 83. CT: Image Production In the context of CT imaging, what is the significance of the term "isotropic voxel"? It refers to a voxel with equal dimensions in all directions, enhancing 3D reconstructions. It denotes a voxel that increases radiation dose efficiency. It signifies a voxel that enhances contrast resolution. It describes a voxel that reduces image noise uniformly. None 84. CT: Image Production When considering the modulation of tube current in CT scanning, what is the primary benefit of this technique? It increases the spatial resolution. It allows for uniform image quality with reduced patient dose. It enhances the contrast resolution significantly. It decreases the scan time. None 85. CT: Image Production How does the use of a higher reconstruction algorithm iteration number in iterative reconstruction impact CT images? It reduces image noise but may cause loss of detail. It increases image noise but enhances spatial resolution. It decreases image resolution but reduces radiation dose. It increases both noise and resolution. None 86. CT: Image Production What is the role of the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in evaluating CT image quality? It measures the dose efficiency of the CT system. It determines the dynamic range of the CT detectors. It assesses the distinguishability of adjacent structures with different attenuation values. It calculates the uniformity of the X-ray beam. None 87. CT: Image Production In CT imaging, what is the impact of using a higher detector quantum efficiency (DQE)? It increases the spatial resolution. It reduces the image noise and enhances dose efficiency. It decreases the contrast resolution. It extends the scanning time. None 88. CT: Image Production What is the consequence of using a lower tube potential (kVp) in CT imaging regarding image contrast and patient dose? Lower image contrast and higher patient dose Higher image contrast and lower patient dose Lower image contrast and lower patient dose Higher image contrast and higher patient dose None 89. CT: Image Production How does the selection of a scan field of view (SFOV) affect the spatial resolution in CT? A larger SFOV increases the spatial resolution. A smaller SFOV increases the spatial resolution. A larger SFOV has no effect on spatial resolution. A smaller SFOV decreases the spatial resolution. None 90. CT: Image Production In CT imaging, what is the effect of increasing the number of detector rows on scan speed and coverage? Increases scan speed and coverage Decreases scan speed and coverage Increases scan speed but decreases coverage Decreases scan speed but increases coverage None 91. CT: Image Production What is the impact of the z-axis interpolation in helical CT scanning on image quality? It improves spatial resolution but increases noise. It enhances image smoothness but can blur fine details. It decreases image resolution but reduces artifacts. It increases noise but improves contrast resolution. None 92. CT: Image Production In CT imaging, what is the effect of electronic noise on low-contrast detectability? It improves low-contrast detectability. It has no effect on low-contrast detectability. It reduces low-contrast detectability. It increases the spatial resolution of low-contrast areas. None 93. CT: Image Production How does the use of a higher pitch in helical CT scanning affect the radiation dose and image quality? Increases radiation dose and improves image quality. Decreases radiation dose but can degrade image quality. Increases both radiation dose and image noise. Decreases radiation dose and increases spatial resolution. None 94. CT: Image Production In CT imaging, how does the application of a metal artifact reduction algorithm affect the final image? It increases the visibility of metal objects. It decreases the overall image resolution. It reduces artifacts caused by metal objects. It enhances the contrast around metal objects. None 95. CT: Image Production What is the significance of temporal resolution in CT imaging, particularly in cardiac CT? It measures the ability to freeze motion and capture dynamic processes. It determines the level of contrast enhancement. It assesses the efficiency of X-ray utilization. It evaluates the uniformity of image noise across the field of view. None 96. CT: Image Production How does the application of a soft tissue reconstruction kernel affect the appearance of CT images compared to a bone kernel? It increases image sharpness and noise, ideal for bone detail. It reduces image sharpness and noise, better for soft tissue visualization. It enhances the contrast resolution specifically for soft tissues. It decreases the temporal resolution but improves the spatial resolution. None 97. CT: Procedures Why is the bolus tracking technique used during a CT angiography scan? To minimize the amount of contrast material used To determine the optimal timing for image acquisition To reduce the radiation dose to the patient To speed up the image processing time None 98. CT: Procedures In CT imaging, why is it necessary to adjust the field of view (FOV) based on the body part being scanned? To increase the scanning speed To enhance image resolution by optimizing pixel size To reduce the amount of contrast needed To minimize patient discomfort during the scan None 99. CT: Procedures Why is it crucial to maintain a consistent respiratory phase during a CT scan of the thorax? To ensure uniform contrast distribution To prevent blurring of the heart and other moving structures To avoid variation in the diaphragmatic position To reduce the overall time of the scan None 100. CT: Procedures In the context of a CT scan for trauma patients, why is a rapid whole-body scan often performed? To decrease the need for subsequent imaging To identify life-threatening injuries quickly To ensure comprehensive coverage of all potential injuries Both B and C are correct None 1 out of 100 Time is Up! Time's up
