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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If a non-grid exposure requires a certain mass, how does using an 8 to 1 grid affect the necessary mass?

The mass remains the same
The mass is halved
The mass is multiplied by four
The mass is multiplied by eight

The correct answer is: The mass is multiplied by four

When utilizing an 8:1 grid, the necessary mass (or exposure) for the radiographic procedure is influenced by the grid's ability to absorb scattered radiation. The primary function of a grid is to enhance image quality by reducing the amount of scatter that reaches the imaging plate or detector, resulting in clearer and more defined images. When a grid is employed, particularly one with an 8:1 ratio, the image receptor is shielded from the effects of scatter, which means that the amount of primary radiation that needs to be directed toward the receptor increases. An 8:1 grid typically requires an increase in exposure in order to compensate for the grid's absorption of some of the useful photons. In practice, using an 8:1 grid can often imply that the necessary mass (or amount of radiation exposure) is approximately multiplied by a factor of four. This multiplier reflects the heightened need for mass to ensure sufficient exposure, which in this case is attributed to the grid’s absorption properties. Thus, the correct response indicates that the use of an 8:1 grid generally necessitates an increase in exposure mass to maintain adequate image quality, validating why the mass would be multiplied by four.