CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

Which procedure would likely result in the highest patient exposure?

1. Lumbar spine x-ray

2. GI fluoroscopy

3. Mammography

4. Angio-interventional

The correct answer is: Angio-interventional

Angio-interventional procedures typically involve the use of fluoroscopy to guide interventions, and they often require prolonged exposure to the imaging beam. This approach involves continuous imaging while various instruments are maneuvered within vascular systems or organs, leading to significant cumulative radiation exposure for the patient. In contrast, while lumbar spine x-rays, GI fluoroscopy, and mammography do expose patients to radiation, they generally involve less time in the imaging field and are often performed with techniques designed to minimize exposure. For example, standard x-rays of the lumbar spine are typically quick snapshots, and while GI fluoroscopy can involve extended imaging, it is often more limited compared to the duration of angio-interventional procedures. Mammography is specifically designed to minimize patient exposure by utilizing low doses of radiation with high-density compression. Therefore, among these choices, angio-interventional procedures stand out as leading to higher patient exposure due to both the technique and duration of necessary imaging.