Radiologic Technologist Practice Exam

Which statement accurately describes how technical factors must be adjusted from an AP lumbar spine to an oblique lumbar spine image?

1. The abdomen becomes denser; technique must increase

2. The abdomen becomes less dense; technique must decrease

3. The abdomen becomes thicker; technique must increase

4. The abdomen becomes less thick; technique must decrease

The correct answer is: The abdomen becomes thicker; technique must increase

When transitioning from an anteroposterior (AP) lumbar spine image to an oblique lumbar spine image, the proper adjustment of technical factors is crucial for achieving optimal image quality. The correct choice indicates that the abdomen becomes thicker during this positional change, which necessitates an increase in technique. In an oblique position, the orientation of the body and the structures being imaged changes. This can result in a thicker section of the body being imaged due to the way the patient is positioned, which captures more anatomical structures. As thickness increases, the amount of radiation needed to penetrate the tissue effectively also increases. Therefore, to maintain image quality and ensure that the anatomical details are adequately visualized, the technical factors—typically the kilovolt peak (kVp) and milliampere-seconds (mAs)—must also be increased to enhance penetration and overall exposure. The other options provide incorrect interpretations of the density and thickness changes that occur when positioning the patient for an oblique image. Hence, understanding how body positioning affects imaging techniques is essential for radiologic technologists to ensure accurate and high-quality diagnostic images.