TEST BANK For Dental Radiography:
Principles and Techniques 6th Edition
by Joen Iannucci & Laura Jansen Howerton
Chapters 1 - 35 | Complete
,Chapter 01: Radiation History
Iannucci: Dental Radiography, 6th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Radiation is defined as
a. a form of energy carried by waves or streams of particles.
b. a beam of energy that has the power to penetrate substances and record image
shadows on a receptor.
c. a high-energy radiation produced by the collision of a beam of electrons with a
metal target in an x-ray tube.
d. a branch of medicine that deals with the use of x-rays.
ANSWER: A
Radiation is a form of energy carried by waves or streams of particles. An x-ray is a beam of
energy that has the power to penetrate substances and record image shadows on a receptor.
X-radiation is a high-energy radiation produced by the collision of a beam of electrons with a
metal target in an x-ray tube. Radiology is a branch of medicine that deals with the use of
x-rays.
DIF: Recall REF: Page 2 OBJ: 1
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.1 Principles of radiophysics
and radiobiology
2. A radiograph is defined as
a. a beam of energy that has the power to penetrate substances and record image
shadows on a receptor.
b. a picture on film produced by the passage of x-rays through an object or body.
c. the art and science of making radiographs by the exposure of an image receptor to
x-rays.
d. a form of energy carried by waves or a stream of particles.
ANSWER: B
An x-ray is a beam of energy that has the power to penetrate substances and record image
shadows on a receptor. A radiograph is a picture on film produced by the passage of x-rays
through an object or body. Radiography is the art and science of making dental images by the
exposure of a receptor to x-rays. Radiation is a form of energy carried by waves or streams
of particles.
DIF: Comprehension REF: Page 2 OBJ: 1
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.1 Principles of radiophysics
and radiobiology
3. Your patient asked you why dental images are important. Which of the following is the
correct response?
a. An oral examination with dental images limits the practitioner to what is seen
clinically.
b. All dental diseases and conditions produce clinical signs and symptoms.
, c. Dental images are not a necessary component of comprehensive patient care.
d. Many dental diseases are typically discovered only through the use of dental
images.
ANSWER: D
An oral examination without dental images limits the practitioner to what is seen clinically.
Many dental diseases and conditions produce no clinical signs and symptoms. Dental images
are a necessary component of comprehensive patient care. Many dental diseases are typically
discovered only through the use of dental images.
DIF: Application REF: Page 2 OBJ: 2
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.5 General
4. The x-ray was discovered by
a. Heinrich Geissler
b. Wilhelm Roentgen
c. Johann Hittorf
d. William Crookes
ANSWER: B
Heinrich Geissler built the first vacuum tube in 1838. Wilhelm Roentgen discovered the
x-ray on November 8, 1895. Johann Hittorf observed in 1870 that discharges emitted from
the negative electrode of a vacuum tube traveled in straight lines, produced heat, and resulted
in a greenish fluorescence. William Crookes discovered in the late 1870s that cathode rays
were streams of charged particles.
DIF: Recall REF: Page 2 OBJ: 4
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.5 General
5. Who exposed the first dental radiograph in the United States using a live person?
a. Otto Walkoff
b. Wilhelm Roentgen
c. Edmund Kells
d. Weston Price
ANSWER: C
Otto Walkoff was a German dentist who made the first dental radiograph. Wilhelm Roentgen
was a Bavarian physicist who discovered the x-ray. Edmund Kells exposed the first dental
radiograph in the United States using a live person. Price introduced the bisecting technique
in 1904.
DIF: Recall REF: Page 4 OBJ: 5
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.5 General
6. Current fast radiographic film requires % less exposure time than the initial exposure
times used in 1920.
a. 33
b. 98
c. 73
, d. 2
ANSWER: D
Current fast radiographic film requires 98% less exposure time than the initial exposure times
used in 1920.
DIF: Comprehension REF: Page 5 OBJ: 6
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.5 General
7. Who modified the paralleling technique with the introduction of the long-cone technique?
a. C. Edmund Kells
b. Franklin W. McCormack
c. F. Gordon Fitzgerald
d. Howard Riley Raper
ANSWER: C
C. Edmund Kells introduced the paralleling technique in 1896. Franklin W. McCormack
reintroduced the paralleling technique in 1920. F. Gordon Fitzgerald modified the paralleling
technique with the introduction of the long-cone technique. This is the technique currently
used. Howard Riley Raper modified the bisecting technique and introduced the bite-wing
technique in 1925.
DIF: Recall REF: Page 4 OBJ: 7
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.5 General
8. Which of the following is an advantage of digital imaging?
a. Increased patient radiation exposure
b. Increased patient comfort
c. Increased speed for viewing images
d. Increased chemical usage
ANSWER: C
Patient exposure is reduced with digital imaging. Digital sensors are more sensitive to x-rays
than film. Digital sensors are rigid and bulky, causing decreased patient comfort. The image
from digital sensors is uploaded directly to the computer and monitor without the need for
chemical processing. This allows for immediate interpretation and evaluation. The image from
digital sensors is uploaded directly to the computer and monitor without the need for chemical
processing.
DIF: Comprehension REF: Page 6 OBJ: 7
TOP: CDA, RHS, I.B.2. Demonstrate basic knowledge of digital radiography
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.5 General
9. Which discovery was the precursor to the discovery of x-rays?
a. Beta particles
b. Alpha particles
c. Cathode rays
d. Radioactive materials
ANSWER: C
, Beta particles are fast moving electrons emitted from the nucleus of radioactive atoms and are
not associated with x-rays. Alpha particles are emitted from the nuclei of heavy metals and are
not associated with x-rays. Wilhelm Roentgen was experimenting with cathode rays when he
discovered x-rays. Radioactive materials are certain unstable atoms or elements that are in the
process of spontaneous disintegration or decay.
DIF: Comprehension REF: Page 3 OBJ: 4
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.5 General
10. Which of the following would you place in the patient’s mouth in order to take dental x-rays?
a. Image
b. Image receptor
c. Radiograph
d. Dental radiograph
ANSWER: B
An image is a picture or likeness of an object. An image receptor is the recording medium
(film, phosphor plate, or digital sensor) that is placed in the patient’s mouth to record the
image produced by the x-rays. A radiograph is an image of two-dimensional representation
of a three- dimensional object. A dental radiograph is the dental image produced on a
recording medium.
DIF: Application REF: Page 2 OBJ: 1
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.5 General
,Chapter 02: Radiation Physics
Iannucci: Dental Radiography, 6th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The fundamental unit of matter is the
a. proton.
b. neutron.
c. electron.
d. atom.
ANSWER: D
A proton is a subatomic particle; the fundamental unit of matter is the atom. A neutron is
a subatomic particle; the fundamental unit of matter is the atom. An electron is a
subatomic particle; the fundamental unit of matter is the atom. The fundamental unit of
matter is the atom.
DIF: Recall REF: Page 8 OBJ: 1
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.1 Principles of
radiophysics and radiobiology
2. The nucleus of an atom contains
a. protons.
b. neutrons.
c. protons and neutrons.
d. electrons.
ANSWER: C
The nucleus of an atom contains neutrons as well as protons. The nucleus of an atom
contains protons as well as neutrons. The nucleus of an atom contains protons and
neutrons. The nucleus of an atom does not contain electrons; it contains protons and
neutrons.
DIF: Recall REF: Page 8 OBJ: 2
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.1 Principles of
radiophysics and radiobiology
3. Which subatomic particle carries a negative electrical charge?
a. A neutron
b. A proton
c. An electron
d. A nucleon
ANSWER: C
A neutron does not carry an electrical charge. A proton carries a positive electrical charge.
An electron carries a negative electrical charge. A nucleon carries a positive (proton) or
,no (neutron) electrical charge.
DIF: Comprehension REF: Page 8 OBJ: 2
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.1 Principles of
radiophysics and radiobiology
4. Which of the following elements is the simplest atom?
a. Hydrogen (H #1)
b. Helium (He #2)
c. Nitrogen (N #7)
d. Oxygen (O #8)
ANSWER: A
Atomic numbers are assigned from simplest to most complex. Hydrogen is the simplest
atom; with a single proton, it has an atomic number of 1. Helium has an atomic number
of 2. Nitrogen has an atomic number of 7. Oxygen has an atomic number of 8.
DIF: Comprehension REF: Page 8 OBJ: 2
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.1 Principles of
radiophysics and radiobiology
5. Which of the following statements is true of orbits or shells in the atom?
a. Protons travel around the nucleus in well-
defined shells.
b. An atom contains innumerable shells.
c. The energy level within each shell is the
same.
d. The orbiting shell closest to the nucleus
has the highest energy level.
ANSWER: D
Electrons travel around the nucleus in well-defined shells. An atom contains a maximum
of seven shells. Each of the maximum seven shells within an atom represents a different
energy level. The orbiting shell closest to the nucleus has the highest energy level. The K
shell is the orbiting shell closest to the nucleus.
DIF: Comprehension REF: Page 8 OBJ: 2
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.1 Principles of
radiophysics and radiobiology
6. The binding energy or binding force of an electron is
a. determined by the distance between the
neutrons and protons within the nucleus.
b. determined by the distance between the
orbiting electrons and the nucleus.
, c. weaker for electrons located in inner
shells than in outer shells.
d. determined by the atomic number.
ANSWER: B
The binding energy or binding force of an electron is determined by the distance between
the nucleus and the orbiting electron. The binding energy or binding force of an electron
is determined by the distance between the orbiting electron and the nucleus, not the
distance between the orbiting electrons. The binding energy or binding force of an
electron is stronger for electrons located in inner shells than for outer shells.
DIF: Recall REF: Page 8 OBJ: 2 TOP: CDA, N/A
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.1 Principles of
radiophysics and radiobiology
7. Which of the following statements is true of ionization?
a. An atom that gains an electron will have a
negative charge.
b. An atom that loses an electron will have a
negative charge.
c. An atom that loses an electron will have a
positive charge.
d. An atom that gains an electron has a
negative charge, and an atom that loses an
electron has a positive charge.
ANSWER: D
This answer is not the best answer. An atom that gains an electron has a negative charge;
however, an atom that loses an electron has a positive charge. An atom that loses an
electron will have a positive charge. An atom that loses an electron has a positive charge;
however, an atom that gains an electron has a negative charge. An atom that gains an
electron will have a negative charge, and an atom that loses an electron will have a
positive charge.
DIF: Comprehension REF: Page 10 OBJ: 3
TOP: CDA, N/A
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.1 Principles of
radiophysics and radiobiology
8. An ion pair results when
a. a proton is removed from an atom.
b. an electron is removed from an atom.
c. a neutron is removed from an atom.
d. two atoms share a pair of electrons.
ANSWER: B
An ion pair results when an electron is removed from an atom rather than a proton; a
neutron.
,DIF: Recall REF: Page 10 OBJ: 3
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.1 Principles of
radiophysics and radiobiology
9. (1) Radiation is the emission and propagation of energy through space or a
substance in the form of waves or particles. (2) Radioactivity can be defined as the
process by which certain unstable atoms or elements undergo spontaneous disintegration,
or decay, in an effort to attain a more balanced nuclear state.
a. Both statements are true.
b. Both statements are false.
c. The first statement is true; the second
statement is false.
d. The first statement is false; the second
statement is true.
ANSWER: A
Radiation is the emission and propagation of energy through space or a substance in the
form of waves or particles. Radioactivity can be defined as the process by which certain
unstable atoms or elements undergo spontaneous disintegration, or decay, in an effort to
attain a more balanced nuclear state.
DIF: Recall REF: Page 10 OBJ: 4
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.1 Principles of
radiophysics and radiobiology
10. The spontaneous emission of radiation from the disintegration of unstable
atomic nuclei is
a. beta particle decay.
b. radiation.
c. radioactivity.
d. alpha particle decay.
ANSWER: C
Beta particles are fast-moving electrons emitted from the nucleus of radioactive atoms.
Radioactivity is the process by which certain unstable atoms or elements undergo
spontaneous disintegration, or decay, in an effort to attain a more balanced nuclear state.
Radiation is the emission and propagation of energy through space or a substance in the
form of waves or particles. Radioactivity is the process by which certain unstable atoms
or elements undergo spontaneous disintegration, or decay, in an effort to attain a more
balanced nuclear state. Alpha particles are emitted from the nuclei of heavy metals and
exist as two protons and neutrons, without electrons. Radioactivity is the process by
which certain unstable atoms or elements undergo spontaneous disintegration, or decay,
in an effort to attain a more balanced nuclear state.
DIF: Comprehension REF: Page 10 OBJ: 4
, TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.1 Principles of
radiophysics and radiobiology
11. Which of the following statements is true of ionizing radiation?
a. It is radiation that is capable of producing
ions by removing or adding an electron to
an atom.
b. It is strictly an electromagnetic radiation
and does not involve particles that have
mass.
c. It is strictly particulate radiation and
cannot travel as waves.
d. It can only travel at the speed of light.
ANSWER: A
It is radiation that is capable of producing ions by removing or adding an electron to an
atom. Ionizing radiation involves both particulate and electromagnetic radiation. There
are two groups of ionizing radiation: particulate radiation and electromagnetic radiation.
Electromagnetic radiation, a type of ionizing radiation, travels at the speed of light.
Particulate radiation travels at varying speeds.
DIF: Comprehension REF: Page 10 OBJ: 3
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.1 Principles of
radiophysics and radiobiology
12. Cathode rays are derived from which of the following types of particulate
radiation?
a. Electrons
b. Alpha particles
c. Protons
d. Neutrons
ANSWER: A
Cathode rays are derived from electrons. Alpha particles are emitted from the nuclei of
heavy metals. Protons are accelerated particles with a mass of 1 and a charge of +1.
Neutrons are accelerated particles with a mass of 1 and no electrical charge.
DIF: Recall REF: Page 10 OBJ: 5
TOP: CDA, RHS, III.B.2. Describe the characteristics of x-radiation
MSC: NBDHE, 2.0 Obtaining and Interpreting Radiographs | NBDHE, 2.1 Principles of
radiophysics and radiobiology
13. Electromagnetic radiations
a. are entirely human-made.
b. include x-rays and visible light.
c. are a form of particulate radiation.
