American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Practice Exam

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Prepare for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists Test with engaging quizzes and detailed explanations. Boost your test readiness with multiple-choice questions designed to enhance your knowledge and confidence.

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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How does filtration impact the primary beam in x-rays?

Disperses the beam
Decreases average energy
Increases the average energy
Creates electromagnetic interference

The correct answer is: Increases the average energy

Filtration affects the primary beam in x-ray imaging by selectively removing low-energy photons. These low-energy x-rays contribute little to no diagnostic information but increase patient dose because they are absorbed by the body without producing useful images. By using filtration, typically aluminum or other materials, the average energy of the x-ray beam increases, as the resulting beam is composed of higher-energy photons that can penetrate the tissues more effectively. This helps ensure that the x-ray images produced have better diagnostic quality while also reducing the exposure to the patient by eliminating unnecessary low-energy photons. As a result, the overall quality of the x-ray study is enhanced, leading to improved image clarity and reduced radiation exposure. This principle is essential in radiographic practice to optimize both patient safety and image efficacy.