Practical Problems –Quia RA 202

1. A radiograph is made using 90kVp at 300 mA 1. 300 x .035=10.5

for 0.035 seconds. The quality control 10.5-40%=6.3
technologist asks that you repeat this film using 6.3/300=.02
40% less mAs. What new time would be
needed if you are to continue to use the 300
mA station?
Correct answer: .02

2. You radiograph the lumbar spine of an elderly 15% rule

woman and note that she has advanced 90-15%=76.5kv
osteroporosis with substantial calcium loss. 150 x 2=300mAs
The film fails to demonstrate the needed
diagnostic information because of the lack of
contrast. What change in the technique would
you make if you originally used 90 kVp at 150
mAs?
Correct answer: 76.5 kV @ 300mAs

3. You made a cross-table lateral radiograph of a Grid conversion formula

broken femur employing a 6:1 stationary grid 8:1 3 x 15=22.5
and using 74 kVp at 300 mA for 0.05 sec. The 6:1 2
orthopedic physician applies a long leg splint to
the patient and requests that you repeat the
film. Another technologist has taken the 6:1
grid on a portable and you must use an 8:1 grid
for your follow up film. What new mAs would be
needed to provide the same radiographic
density?
Correct answer: 22.5

4. You made a portable chest radiograph of a mAs1 = (D1)2

recumbent patient and are now asked to repeat mAs2 (D2)2
the examination with the patient in the erect
position. Your original technique was 86 kVp 1.6 = (44)2 = 1936
and 1.6 mAs at a 44-in distance. When you x (68)2 4624
repeat the study in the erect position you will
be using a 68-in distance. What new mAs
would be needed to obtain equal density? 3.82
Correct answer: 3.82

5. You make an AP abdominal radiograph of a The goal here is to lower the exposure time. I chose
patient who is unable to hold his breath. to half it.
Because of excessive motion you must repeat 300 x .15 = 45
the film. Your original technique was 80 kVp at .15/2 = .08 sec
300 mA for 0.15 sec. How would you change 300 x 2 = 600mA
this technique to try to eliminate the motion
while maintaining the same density?
Correct answer: 600 mA
 Practical Problems –Quia RA 202
6. You made a PA chest radiograph of a patient Three steps of the 15% rule
using 120 kVp at 1.125 mAs. The radiologist 120 – 15% = 102 – 15% = 86.7 – 15% = 73.7kv
requests a repeat PA chest film with the kVp 1.125 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 9mAs
not to exceed 80. What new technique would
provide the radiologist with a film of the same
density using no more than 80 kVp?
Correct answer: 73.7 kV @ 9 mAs

7. You are told to increase the density of a 600 x .05 = 30

radiograph by 50%. Your original technique 30 + 50% = 45
was 90 kVp at 600 mA for 0.05 sec. What new 45/600 = .08
technique would be used if you were to change
only the time, leaving the mA and kVp the
same?
Correct answer: .08

8. A radiograph is produced with an 8:1 grid using . 12:1 = 4 x 32 = 42.6

90 kVp at 400 mA for 0.08 sec. You are asked 8:1 3
to repeat the examination using a 12:1 grid.
What new mAs would be needed?
Correct answer: 42.6

9. A radiograph is produced with a 16:1 grid using 4 x 16 = 12.8

100 kVp at 800 mA for 0.02 sec. You are asked 5
to repeat the examination using a 12:1 grid.
What new mAs would be needed?
Correct answer: 12.8

10. A radiograph is produced with a 5:1 grid using 2 NONE

70 kVp at 800 mA for 0.02 sec. You are asked 2
to repeat the examination using a 6:1 grid.
What changes in mAs would be needed?
Correct answer: none

11. A radiograph is produced with a 16:1 grid using 120 – 15% = 102
120 kVp at 600 mA for 1/10 sec. You are asked 60 x 2 = 120mAs
to repeat the examination using only 100 kVp.
What new mAs would be needed?
Correct answer: 120 mAs

12. A radiograph is produced with a 12:1 grid using 100 – 15% = 85 – 15% = 72
100 kVp at 600 mA for 1/30 sec. You are asked 80mAs
to repeat the examination using 80 kVp. What
new mAs would be needed?
Correct answer: 80 mAs
 Practical Problems –Quia RA 202
13. A radiograph is produced with an 8:1 grid using 80 + 15% = 92 + 15% = 105.8
80 kVp at 300 mA for 1.5 sec. You are asked to 112.5mAs
repeat the examination using 100 kVp. What
new mAs would be needed?
Correct answer: 112.5 mAs

14. A radiograph is produced with a 6:1 grid using 70 + 15% = 80.5kv

70 kVp at 100 mA for 1/15 sec. You are asked 3.35mAs
to repeat the examination using 80 kVp. What
new mAs would be needed?
Correct answer: 3.35 mAs

15. A radiograph is made using 10 mAs and 50- Screen conversion formula
speed (detail) screens. What new mAs would To 100 (flip) 50 x 10 = 5mAs
be needed if 100-speed screens were From 50 100
substituted?
Correct answer: 5 mAs

16. A radiograph is made using 200-speed Screen conversion formula

screens, and the radiologist requests that you To 50 (Flip) 200 x 3.5
repeat the study using 50-speed (detail) From 200 50
screens. If your original technique called for 3.5 14mAs
mAs, what new mAs would be needed?
Correct answer: 14 mAs

17. A radiograph made with 200-speed screens 18. Screen conversion formula
must be repeated using 100-speed screens. If 100 (Flip) 200 x 5 = 10mAs
your original technique called for 5 mAs, what 200 100
new mAs would be needed?
Correct answer: 10 mAs

19. Which technique will give you the greatest

density?
70 kVp 500 mA 1/10 sec 40"SID 6:1 grid
75 kVp 300 mA 1/15 sec 44"SID 5:1 grid
80 kVp 100 mA 1/20 sec 36"SID 8:1 grid
65 kVp 200 mA 1/10 sec 36"SID no grid

Correct answer: 65 kVp 200 mA 1/10 sec 36"SID no

grid

20. Which technique will give you the greatest

density?
110 kVp 400 mA 0.10 sec 44"SID 12:1 grid
120 kVp 600 mA 0.07 sec 40"SID 16:1 grid
90 kvp 500 mA 0.15 sec 36"SID 12:1 grid
 Practical Problems –Quia RA 202
120 kVp 800 mA 0.2 sec 40"SID 16:1 grid

Correct answer: 120 kVp 800 mA 0.2 sec 40"SID 16:1

grid

21. Which technique will give you the greatest

density?
100 kVp 300 mA 0.15 sec 48"SID 12:1 grid
120 kVp 200 mA 0.07 sec 44"SID 16:1 grid
95 kVp 400 mA 0.2 sec 36"SID 12:1 grid
100 kVp 400 mA 0.2 sec 30"SID 16:1 grid

Correct answer: 100 kVp 400 mA 0.2 sec 30"SID 16:1

grid

22. Which technique will give you the lowest

density?
70 kVp 500 mA 0.035 sec 40"SID 6:1 grid
75 kVp 300 mA 0.025 sec 44"SID 5:1 grid
80 kVp 100 mA 0.03 sec 36"SID 8:1 grid
65 kVp 200 mA 0.02 sec 36"SID no grid

Correct answer: 80 kVp 100 mA 0.03 sec 36"SID 8:1

grid

23. Determine the size of the projected image of an 40 = x = 1.05

object that measures 1-in if using an SID of 40- 38 1
in and an SOD of 38-in.
Correct answer: 1.05

24. Determine the projected image size of an x = 108 = 15

object that measures 14-cm when using an SID 14 100
of 108-in and an SOD of 100-in.
Correct answer: 15

25. What will be the projected image size of a 2-in x = 60.5 = 2.01
object if the OID is 0.5-in and the SOD is 60- 2 60
in?
Correct answer: 2.01

26. What will be the projected image size of a 4-in x = 39.5 = 4.15
object if the OID is 1.5-in and the SOD is 38- 4 38
in?
Correct answer: 4.15
 Practical Problems –Quia RA 202
27. Determine the percentage of magnification if SID = 38 +2 =
the OID is 2-in and the SOD is 38-in. 40-38 x 100 = 5.26%
38

Correct answer: 5.26%

28. Determine the percentage of magnification if SID = 72 + 4 = 76

the OID is 4-in and the SOD is 72-in. 76 – 72 x 100 = 5.5%
72

Correct answer: 5.5%

29. Determine the percentage of magnification if SID = 40 + 1 =

the OID is 1-in and the SOD is 40-in. 41 – 40 x 100 = 2.5%
40

Correct answer: 2.5%

30. Determine the magnification factor if the SID is 40 – 36 x 100 = 11%

40-in and the SOD is 36-in. 36

Correct answer: 11%

31. Determine the amount of geometric GU = (FSS x OID) / SOD

unsharpness (GU) in the following technique. Gu =.0779
FSS=2.0 OID=1.5in SOD=38.5in GU=?
Correct answer: .0779

32. Determine the amount of geometric GU = .12

unsharpness (GU) in the following technique.
FSS=0.6 SOD=30 in SID=36 in GU=?

Correct answer: .12

33. Determine the amount of geometric 53. GU = .0857

unsharpness (GU) in the following technique.
FSS=3 SOD=70 in SID=72 in GU=?
Correct answer .0857

34. Determine the amount of geometric 54. GU = .0285

unsharpness (GU) in the following technique.
FSS=1 OID=2 in SOD=70 in GU=?
Correct answer .0285
 Practical Problems –Quia RA 202
35. To radiograph an extremity in a dry plaster cast 2+ 100% =4 mAs
requires a 100% increase in the original mAs of
2. To radiograph the hand of a patient in a
plaster cast that is 1 week old you would use
___ mAs.
Correct answer: 4

36. Heat units for a single-phase x-ray machine are 120 x 400 x .035 =1680
determined by multiplying kVp x mA x sec. The
technique you are to use is 120 kVp at 400 mA
for 0.035 sec. The heat units produced by this
exposure are ___?
Correct answer: 1680

37. If 200 mA for 0.15 sec at a 40-in SID produces 4 = 802 = 6400 = 1 R
4 R, an 80-in SID will produce ____ R. x 402 1600

Correct answer: 1

38. To increase by 40% your original technique of 30+ 40% =42

30 mAs requires a new mAs of _____.
Correct answer: 42

39. The technique chart calls for 1/15 sec but your 1 /15 = .06
equipment requires decimal time settings. The
decimal equivalent of 1/15 is ____.
Correct answer: .06

40. 10 Gy is equivalent to _____ rad. 1R x ( 2.58 x 10 – 4) = 1 c/kg

1rad x .01 = 1 gray
1rem x .01 = 1sv
1000 .01x = 10 x = 1000
.01 .01

Correct answer: 1000

41. Sv is equivalent to ____ rem. 10 .01x = .1 x = 10

.01 .01
Correct answer: 10

42. 10 rad is equivalent to ____ Gy. 1 10 x .01 = .1

Correct answer: .1
 Practical Problems –Quia RA 202
43. 4 rem is equivalent to _____ Sv. .04 4 x .01 = .04
Correct answer: .04

44. Determine the percentage of magnification if SID = 35 + 1.5 = 36.5

the OID is 1.5 in and the SOD is 35 in.
36.5 - 35 x 100 = 4.28%
35

Correct answer: 4.28%

45. Determine the magnification factor if the SID is 72 = 1.05

72 in and the SOD is 68 in. 68

Correct answer: 1.05

46. How many heat units would be produced on a mA x kv x sec

single-phase radiographic unit using a 3 phase
technique of 90 kVp at 300 mA for 0.035 sec? 6p x 1.35
12p x 1.41
1 phase = x 1

90 x 300 x .035 =945

Correct answer: 945

47. How many heat units would be produced on a 120 x 600 x .005 x 1.35 = 486
three-phase (6-pulse) radiographic unit using a
technique of 120 kVp at 600 mA for 0.005 sec?

Correct answer: 486

48. How many heat units would be produced on a 120 x 600 x .005 x 1.41 = 507.6
three-phase (12-pulse) radiographic unit using
a thechique of 120 kVp at 600 mA for 0.005
sec?
Correct answer: 507.6

49. A series of six x-ray exposures is made on a

single-phase unit with a technique of 75 kVp at 75 x 400 x .04 x 6 =72,000
400 mA for 0.4 sec. What is the total number of
heat units produced?
Correct answer: 72,000
 Practical Problems –Quia RA 202
50. If a patient receives a radiation dose of 6 mR 72. 6 = (60)2 = 3600 = 2.6
when radiographed at an SID of 40 in, what x (40) 1600
dose in mR would be received if an SID of 60
in were used?
Correct answer: 2.6

51. If a patient receives a radiation dose of 2 mR 73. 2 = (40)2 = 4.5

when radiographed at an SID of 60 in, what x (60)
dose in mR would be received if an SID of 40
in were used?
Correct answer: 4.5

52. If a patient receives a radiation dose of 0.02 74. .02 (44)2 1936 = .01
mR when radiographed at an SID of 36 in, x (36) 1296
what dose in mR would be received if an SID of
44 in were used?
Correct answer: .01

53. If a patient receives a radiation dose of 0.5 mR 75. .5 = (40)2 1600 = .72
when radiographed at an SID of 48 in, what x (48) 2304
dose in mR would be received if an SID of 40
in were used?
Correct answer: .72

54. The original technique called for 75 kVp at 45 93. 8:1 3 x 45 = 67.5
mAs. Without changing the density or scale of 6:1 2
contrast, it is necessary to change from a 6:1 67.5 = (40)2 1600
grid technique to an 8:1 grid and also to x (30) 900
change the distance from 40 in to 30 in. x = 37.9

Correct answer: 37.9

55. The original technique called for 75 kVp at 45 75 @ 45 mAs @ 6:1 grid (original technique)
mAs, decrease the contrast, use a 12:1 grid, 75 + 15% = 86 kv
and increase the density by 100%. 45/2 = 23 mAs
4 x 23 = 45 mAs
2
45 mAs + 100% = 90 mAs

Correct answer: 86kV @ 90 mAs

 Practical Problems –Quia RA 202
56. It is necessary to repeat the x-ray of a patient m1 = (D1)2 4 = (44)2 1936 x = 2.7 mAs 3 x 2.7 = 2 mAs
for whom you originally used 100 kVp at 200 m2 (D2) x (36) 1296 4
mA for 0.02 sec, with a 12:1 grid at an SID of
44 in. You have to do ths patient "portable" and
must use an 8:1 grid at a 36 in distance.
Correct answer: 2 mAs

57. The original technique calls for 90 kVp at 300 104 @ 18

mA for 0.06 sec at a 40 in SID. Your 18 (40)2 = 28MAS
radiograph needs a longer scale of contrast, x (50)
twice the density, and you must use a 50 in 28/600 =.05
SID. What time would be needed if you were
required to use the 600 mA station?

Correct answer: .05

58. The original technique calls for 90 kVp at 300 77kv @ 18

mA for 0.06 sec at a 40 in SID. Your 18 = (40)2 = 10 mAs
radiograph needs a shorter scale of contrast, x (30)
half the density, and you must use a 30 in SID. 10 /400 =.025
What time would be needed if you were
required to use the 400 mA station?

Correct answer: .025

59. The original technique calls for 75 kVp at 500 75kv @ 75 mAs
mA for 3/20 sec at a 40 in SID. Your +15% and half mas
radiograph needs less contrast, 50% more 86kV @37.5
density, and you must use a 50 in SID. What +50% density = 56mAs
time would be needed if you were required to 56 = (40)2 = 1600 = 87.5
use the 600 mA station?
x (50) 2500
87.5 /600 = .145 seconds

Correct answer: .145 sec