Deck 18: Identifying and Correcting Undiagnostic Radiographs

Question 1

When using film, the corrective action for a radiograph that displays a "tire track" pattern is to:

A) thoroughly clean the rollers of the automatic processor.
B) position film intraorally with the tube side toward the source of radiation.
C) carefully separate the lead foil from the film packet before processing.
D) lower the temperature of the processing chemicals.

Answer 1

position film intraorally with the tube side toward the source of radiation.

Question 2

Which of the following identifies the cause and corrective action for an image with overlapping of the proximal contacts in which the overlap appears more severe in the posterior region than the anterior region?

A) Mesiodistal projection of the central ray caused the error. Shift the tube toward the anterior to correct this error.
B) Mesiodistal projection of the central ray caused the error. Shift the tube toward the posterior to correct this error.
C) Distomesial projection of the central ray caused the error. Shift the tube toward the anterior to correct this error.
D) Distomesial projection of the central ray caused the error. Shift the tube toward the posterior to correct this error.

Answer 2

Mesiodistal projection of the central ray caused the error. Shift the tube toward the posterior to correct this error.

Question 3

When using the paralleling technique, excessive vertical angulation will result in:

A) elongation of the teeth.
B) foreshortening of the teeth.
C) cutting off the apices of teeth.
D) cutting off the occlusal/incisal edges of the teeth.

Answer 3

cutting off the occlusal/incisal edges of the teeth.

Question 4

Failing to record the apical region of the teeth on a periapical radiograph most likely results from an error made in which of the following steps?

A) Placement of the image receptor
B) Horizontal angulation
C) Vertical angulation
D) Centering the x-ray beam

Question 5

If a film is accidentally placed in the fixer before placing it in the developer, the resultant image will:

A) be light.
B) be dark.
C) be blank.
D) have a herringbone pattern.

Question 6

Overdevelopment results in which of the following?

A) Green areas
B) Dark images
C) White or clear spots
D) Cracked emulsions

Question 7

Each of the following statements regarding retake radiographs is correct EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A) All errors create a need to re-expose the patient.
B) If one radiograph in a set of bitewings is overlapped, it should be determined whether adjacent radiographs image the area adequately.
C) Determining when a retake is necessary will keep radiation exposure to a minimum.
D) All errors reduce the quality of the radiograph.

Question 8

An image receptor placed too far back in the mouth will result in not imaging the:

A) maxillary structures.
B) mandibular structures.
C) anterior structures.
D) posterior structures.

Question 9

If using film, a blank image indicates that:

A) there was an overexposure to radiation.
B) there was no exposure to radiation.
C) a full denture blocked the film from radiation.
D) the film was accidentally exposed to white light.

Question 10

Overlapping of adjacent teeth on the radiographic image most likely results from an error made in which of the following steps?

A) Placement of the image receptor
B) Horizontal angulation
C) Vertical angulation
D) Centering the x-ray beam

Question 11

Elongation error results from which of the following?

A) Excessive vertical angulation using the bisecting technique
B) Excessive vertical angulation using the paralleling technique
C) Inadequate vertical angulation using the bisecting technique
D) Inadequate vertical angulation using the paralleling technique

Question 12

What term is used to describe images other than anatomy or pathology that do not contribute to a diagnosis of the patient's condition?

A) Artifacts
B) Cone cuts
C) Double images
D) Pressure marks

Question 13

Residual glove powder on the fingers or hands that touches the film results in:

A) white marks.
B) pressure marks.
C) black smudges.
D) film fogging.

Question 14

Improper or insufficient washing of radiographic films will result in:

A) brown films.
B) green films.
C) black films.
D) white/clear films.

Question 15

A slanted or tilted occlusal plane results from which of the following?

A) Not using a cotton roll to stabilize the image receptor holder
B) Not positioning the edge of the image receptor parallel to the occlusal plane
C) Orienting the image receptor vertically when it should have been oriented horizontally
D) Placing the image receptor in the mouth backward

Question 16

Cone cutting of the radiographic image most likely results from an error made in which of the following steps?

A) Placement of the image receptor
B) Horizontal angulation
C) Vertical angulation
D) Centering the x-ray beam

Question 17

Failing to record the incisal or occlusal edges of the teeth on a periapical radiograph most likely results from an error made in which of the following steps?

A) Placement of the image receptor
B) Horizontal angulation
C) Vertical angulation
D) Centering the x-ray beam

Question 18

Each of the following would result in a retake radiograph EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A) Not imaging the correct tooth
B) Imaging 2 millimeters of supporting bone beyond tooth apices
C) Cone cutting the area of interest
D) Imaging a herringbone or tire track pattern.

Question 19

Light (thin) images may result from each of the following EXCEPT one. Which one is the EXCEPTION?

A) Placing the image receptor (film) in the mouth backward
B) Not depressing the exposure button for the duration of the cycle
C) Using an mA setting that was too high
D) Developing in weak processing solutions

Question 20

Which of the following statements regarding positioning of the image receptor is correct?

A) Absence of apical structures results when the image receptor is not placed low enough in the oral cavity.
B) Inadequate horizontal angulation will result in less of the crown recorded.
C) Excessive vertical angulation will result in overlap error.
D) Not placing the image receptor parallel with the occlusal plane results in cone cutting.

Question 21

Elongation error causes the images to appear stretched out.

Question 22

White spots on the film are caused by premature contact with the developer solution.

Question 23

Bending a phosphor plate will result in a black crimp line.

Question 24

If the darkroom door is accidentally opened during unwrapping of the film packets, the resultant image will appear clear, or blank of any image.

Question 25

A light radiograph can result from either underexposure or underdeveloping.

Question 26

A dark radiograph can result from either overexposure or overdeveloping.

Question 27

A distomesial projection of the x-ray beam results in more severe overlapping in the posterior region of the radiograph.

Question 28

Electronic noise is the digital equivalent of film fog.

Question 29

A dark image occurs when the developing solution is diluted.

Question 30

To avoid radiographic error while opening a film packet in the darkroom, the film should be removed from the outer packaging rapidly.

Question 31

Assembling an image receptor holder with external aiming device incorrectly may lead to conecut error.

Question 32

Dark spots on the film are caused by premature contact with the developer.

Question 33

A black film indicates accidental exposure to white light.

Question 34

Formation of a partial image on the radiograph occurs if the developing solution is too weak.

Question 35

Misuse of a cotton roll to stabilize the image receptor may result in root tips being cut off from the image.

Question 36

A herringbone or tire track pattern appears on the image if the film packet was placed in the oral cavity reversed.

Question 37

The image receptor should be placed with the long dimension horizontal for exposure of anterior periapical radiographs.

Question 38

A scratched safelight filter or incorrect bulb wattage can result in film fog.

Question 39

A white line will appear on a processed film at the point where a film packet was bent or subjected to excessive pressure.

Question 40

Exposing film to excessive heat and humidity can compromise radiographic quality.

Question 41

What is film fog?

Question 42

What produces thin black lines or smudges often in a pattern on the radiograph?

Question 43

Film fog may result from what?

Question 44

Can fluorescent watch faces and dials fog film?

Question 45

What conditions permit white-light film fog?

Question 46

Does radiographic film have an expiration date?

Question 47

What causes discrete black lines to appear on the radiograph?

Question 48

What causes the black paper in the film packet to become stuck to the film?

Question 49

Film not protected from stray radiation is susceptible to what?

Question 50

What causes an iridescent stain on the radiograph?