Free practice test · no sign-up
ARRT RADFree Radiography practice test
- ✓ 10 free questions
- ✓ Instant answers & explanations
- ✓ No sign-up, no email
10 real ARRT RAD practice questions with instant answers and explanations — no account, no credit card, no email. Score yourself, then unlock the full bank of 500 questions whenever you’re ready. The ARRT RAD passing score is Scaled score of 75 (raw cut score varies by exam version).
For a routine PA chest radiograph, the central ray should be directed perpendicular to the level of which vertebra?
Answer key
All 10 ARRT RAD questions & answers
Prefer to just read the answers and explanations? Here’s the full key for this free ARRT RAD test.
Q1. For a routine PA chest radiograph, the central ray should be directed perpendicular to the level of which vertebra?
Correct answer: D. T7
The central ray for a PA chest projection is centered at the level of T7, which places the film adequately to include the lung apices and costophrenic angles.
Q2. For a supine AP abdomen (KUB) radiograph, the central ray is centered at the level of which landmark?
Correct answer: B. Iliac crest
The central ray for a supine AP abdomen is directed to the level of the iliac crest, which approximates the mid-abdomen and helps ensure both the diaphragm and symphysis pubis are included on a large IR.
Q3. For a lateral skull projection, where should the central ray enter relative to the external auditory meatus (EAM)?
Correct answer: A. 2 inches (5 cm) superior to the EAM
The central ray for a lateral skull is directed perpendicular to the IR, entering approximately 2 inches (5 cm) superior to the EAM to center over the sella turcica region.
Q4. For an AP pelvis projection, the central ray should be centered to which point?
Correct answer: C. Midpoint between the ASIS and the symphysis pubis
The AP pelvis is centered at the midpoint between the ASIS and the symphysis pubis, which places the central ray at approximately the level of the femoral necks and includes the entire pelvic girdle.
Q5. In a lateral cervical spine projection, the central ray is typically centered at the level of which vertebra?
Correct answer: B. C4
The central ray for a lateral cervical spine is directed to the level of C4, which corresponds approximately to the thyroid cartilage and centers the seven cervical vertebrae on the image.
Q6. For a PA projection of the hand, where is the central ray directed?
Correct answer: A. Third MCP joint
The central ray for a PA hand is directed perpendicular to the third metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint, centering the hand and allowing even visualization of the digits, metacarpals, and carpals.
Q7. For an AP oblique ankle projection in the mortise position, approximately how many degrees of internal leg rotation are used?
Correct answer: D. 15-20 degrees
The mortise position requires internally rotating the leg 15 to 20 degrees so the intermalleolar line is parallel to the IR, opening the ankle mortise joint space for evaluation.
Q8. For a lateral lumbar spine projection, the central ray is typically centered to which level?
Correct answer: C. Approximately 2 inches (5 cm) above the iliac crest, at the level of L3
For a lateral lumbar spine, the central ray is centered about 2 inches above the iliac crest, corresponding to L3, to properly center the lumbar vertebral bodies and intervertebral disc spaces on the image.
Q9. What does the AP shoulder projection performed with the arm in external rotation best demonstrate?
Correct answer: B. Greater tubercle in profile laterally
External rotation of the humerus turns the epicondyles parallel to the IR and rotates the greater tubercle into profile along the lateral aspect of the proximal humerus.
Q10. In a wrist series, why is ulnar deviation used specifically for the scaphoid projection?
Correct answer: A. It elongates the scaphoid and reduces foreshortening, improving visualization of fractures
Ulnar deviation pulls the scaphoid into a more parallel orientation to the IR, elongating it and reducing the normal foreshortening seen in neutral position, which improves detection of subtle fractures.
Ready for the full ARRT RAD bank? Start free.
500 questions, timed mock exams, and missed-question review — 30 free questions, no card.
Start free trial