Understanding Filtration in Radiologic Technology: A Comprehensive Quiz

Radiologic Technology

Medical Physics

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| Questions: 20 | Updated: Aug 4, 2025

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1. How is filtration typically measured?

By the color of the filtered liquid

Measured in aluminum/equivalency because aluminum is the standard filtering material

Using atmospheric pressure as a reference point

In gallons per minute (GPM)

Filtration is commonly measured in terms of the amount of aluminum or its equivalency used, as aluminum is a well-known standard filtering material.

Explanation

Filtration is commonly measured in terms of the amount of aluminum or its equivalency used, as aluminum is a well-known standard filtering material.

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About This Quiz

Understanding Filtration In Radiologic Technology: A Comprehensive Quiz - Quiz

Explore the crucial role of filtration in radiation physics through this focused assessment. Understand how filters affect X-ray beam quality and patient dose, enhancing your practical knowledge for medical imaging applications. Ideal for students and professionals in radiologic technology.

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2. What is the HVL?

The Heavy Voltage Load is the amount of electrical power needed to sustain a circuit.

The Highest Value Limit is the maximum value that can be achieved in a system.

The Hot Variable Level is the temperature at which a substance changes from solid to liquid.

The Half-Value Layer is the amount of filtration required to reduce the original intensity of the beam in half

The correct answer explains the concept of Half-Value Layer in terms of radiation physics.

Explanation

The correct answer explains the concept of Half-Value Layer in terms of radiation physics.

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3. Name the 5 basic types of filtration.

Initial filtration

Inherent filtrationAdded filtrationCompound filtrationCompensating filtrationTotal filtration

Advanced filtration

Specialized filtration

The correct answer includes the specific types of filtration used in various industries to remove impurities from liquids or gases.

Explanation

The correct answer includes the specific types of filtration used in various industries to remove impurities from liquids or gases.

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4. What is meant by added filtration in the context of radiography?

Filtration that is not necessary in radiography.

Any filtration that occurs outside the tube and tube housing and before the IR

Filtration that occurs after the image receptor (IR).

Filtration that occurs within the x-ray tube.

Added filtration in radiography refers to any additional filtration that is placed outside the x-ray tube and before the image receptor. This added filtration helps in removing low-energy photons, resulting in a higher quality image with better contrast and reduced scatter radiation.

Explanation

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5. Name three common types of compensating filters and what they're commonly used for.

Lattice filter - used for abdominal X-rays

Paddle filter - used for shoulder X-rays

Wedge filter - ap footTrough filter - thoracic spineFerlic filter - shoot through hip

Baffle filter - used for brain X-rays

Compensating filters are used in radiography to even out the exposure when imaging parts of the body that have varying tissue densities. Each type of filter is designed to compensate for specific anatomical characteristics, hence their common usage in particular X-ray procedures.

Explanation

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6. What is Total Filtration?

Equal to the sum of the inherent and added filtration.It does not take into account any compound or compensating filters.

Total Filtration is only determined by added filtration.

Total Filtration is a measurement of water flow rate.

Only the inherent filtration is considered in Total Filtration.

Total Filtration includes all compound and compensating filters.

Total Filtration is the combination of both inherent and added filtration levels, excluding compound or compensating filters.

Explanation

Total Filtration is the combination of both inherent and added filtration levels, excluding compound or compensating filters.

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7. What is the advantage of increasing the factors when more filtration is added?

Increasing factors with more filtration reduces image sharpness.

When the exposure needs to be increased the to maintain the same exposure factors, there is a greater decrease in... When the exposure needs to be increased the to maintain the same exposure factors, there is a greater decrease in overall exposure to the patient (because a greater percentage of low energy photons is absorbed - up to 3mm)

Increasing factors with more filtration reduces contrast in the image.

Increasing factors with more filtration leads to higher patient exposure.

When the exposure needs to be increased to maintain the same exposure factors, increasing factors with more filtration results in a greater decrease in overall exposure to the patient due to the greater percentage of low energy photons being absorbed.

Explanation

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8. Define filtration.

The process of eliminating undesirable low-energy x-ray photons by insertion of absorbing materials (e.g. aluminum) into the primary beam.

The process of amplifying x-ray photons for clearer imaging.

The process of adjusting the contrast in x-ray images.

The process of shielding the patient from excessive radiation exposure.

Filtration in radiology refers to the technique used to remove low-energy x-ray photons that contribute to image degradation, ensuring clearer and higher quality images by selectively absorbing them with materials like aluminum.

Explanation

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9. How does filtration allow the radiographer to shape the emission spectrum?

By decreasing the distance from the x-ray machine to the patient

By changing the grid ratio

By increasing the exposure time

When filtration is added the overall quantity of photons go down (filtering out low energy ones) therefore the overall quality... When filtration is added the overall quantity of photons go down (filtering out low energy ones) therefore the overall quality of the x-ray spectrum goes up.

Filtration works by selectively removing low-energy photons from the x-ray beam, thus improving the quality of the emitted spectrum by reducing the number of less useful photons.

Explanation

Filtration works by selectively removing low-energy photons from the x-ray beam, thus improving the quality of the emitted spectrum by reducing the number of less useful photons.

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10. Why is filtration also known as 'hardening' of the beam?

Because it makes the beam thicker and denser.

Because it filtration removes low energy ("soft") photons and increases the average beam energy

Because it decreases the average beam energy by removing high energy photons.

Because it has no effect on the beam characteristics.

Filtration in radiography is known as 'hardening' of the beam because it selectively removes low energy ('soft') photons, increasing the average energy of the beam.

Explanation

Filtration in radiography is known as 'hardening' of the beam because it selectively removes low energy ('soft') photons, increasing the average energy of the beam.

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11. What is Inherent Filtration?

Filtration that results from the composition of the tube and the tube housingi.e. the glass envelope, dielectric oil bath, and... Filtration that results from the composition of the tube and the tube housingi.e. the glass envelope, dielectric oil bath, and the glass window of the housing

Filtration that occurs naturally in water bodies

Filtration that involves air purification systems

Filtration that is added externally using filters

Inherent Filtration refers to the natural filtration that occurs due to the materials present in the X-ray tube and its housing, such as glass envelope, dielectric oil bath, and glass window.

Explanation

Inherent Filtration refers to the natural filtration that occurs due to the materials present in the X-ray tube and its housing, such as glass envelope, dielectric oil bath, and glass window.

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12. Why is HVL testing important?

As the tube ages it becomes gassy, the anode becomes pitted and vaporized tungsten can deposit on the glass envelope/window... As the tube ages it becomes gassy, the anode becomes pitted and vaporized tungsten can deposit on the glass envelope/window which can lead to an increase in inherent filtration and therefore reduce the tube effiency. HVL testing can compare the filtration from when the tube was new til now.

HVL testing has no impact on image quality or patient safety.

HVL testing is only important for digital radiography systems.

HVL testing is not important in medical imaging.

HVL testing is crucial in determining the changes in filtration over time which directly affects the tube efficiency and image quality in medical imaging systems.

Explanation

HVL testing is crucial in determining the changes in filtration over time which directly affects the tube efficiency and image quality in medical imaging systems.

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13. Name two main examples of added filtration.

Decreasing the distance between the x-ray tube and the collimator

Sheets of aluminum between x-ray tube housing and the collimatorCollimators (1mm al/eq) because of the silver on the back of... Sheets of aluminum between x-ray tube housing and the collimatorCollimators (1mm al/eq) because of the silver on the back of the mirrors that direct the beam

Increasing the exposure time of the x-ray beam

Adding more glass to the x-ray tube housing

Added filtration in X-ray machines is essential to remove unnecessary radiation and reduce patient exposure. Examples of added filtration include using sheets of aluminum between the x-ray tube housing and the collimator, and using collimators (1mm al/eq) to block unnecessary radiation.

Explanation

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14. What is compound filtration in medical imaging?

Filters that control the temperature of the imaging environment

Filters that alter the contrast of the image without affecting radiation exposure

Also called K-edge filtersFilters that use two or more materials; where each layer absorbs characteristic photons created from the previous... Also called K-edge filtersFilters that use two or more materials; where each layer absorbs characteristic photons created from the previous layerThis is why it is layered from highest atomic number to lower atomic number (closest to the patient)

Filters that remove dust particles from the imaging equipment

Compound filtration in medical imaging refers to filters that use two or more materials; where each layer absorbs characteristic photons created from the previous layer. This is why it is layered from highest atomic number to lower atomic number (closest to the patient).

Explanation

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15. What is the purpose of Compensation Filtration?

To reduce patient exposure to radiation during imaging procedures.

To increase the resolution of digital radiography images.

To enhance image contrast in radiographic examinations.

Designed to solve the problem of parts with uneven tissue thickness or densities (i.e. foot, thoracic spine, shoot through hip)

Compensation Filtration is specifically used to address the issue of parts with uneven tissue thickness or densities, helping to produce more uniform and accurate radiographic images.

Explanation

Compensation Filtration is specifically used to address the issue of parts with uneven tissue thickness or densities, helping to produce more uniform and accurate radiographic images.

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16. What components are involved in total filtration?

Glass envelope, window, dielectric oil, sheets of aluminum and silver backing on collimator mirrors

Plastic enclosure, lens, water, sheets of copper and gold backing on collimator mirrors.

Metal casing, filter paper, air, sheets of tin and bronze backing on collimator mirrors.

Rubber seal, screen, hydraulic fluid, sheets of steel and nickel backing on collimator mirrors.

Total filtration involves specific components such as a glass envelope, window, dielectric oil, and sheets of aluminum with a silver backing on collimator mirrors to achieve the desired filtration results.

Explanation

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17. What effect does filtration have on the tube output?

Filtration increases the tube output resulting in higher radiographic density.

Filtration decreases the tube output resulting in lower radiographic contrast.

Filtration has no impact on tube output or radiographic density.

Most low energy photons are removed but so are some higher energy photons which results in a decrease in radiographic... Most low energy photons are removed but so are some higher energy photons which results in a decrease in radiographic density so the technique must be increased (KVP)

Filtration in X-ray tubes is important as it removes low energy photons which can contribute to image noise. However, it also removes some higher energy photons which leads to a decrease in radiographic density. This decrease in density can be compensated for by increasing the kilovoltage peak (KVP) setting during the X-ray exposure process.

Explanation

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18. Why is filtration needed?

To make the x-ray machine quieter

To increase the contrast in the x-ray image

To speed up the x-ray process

Low energy photons cannot exit the patient so they only contribute to patient dose without doing anything to the x-ray... Low energy photons cannot exit the patient so they only contribute to patient dose without doing anything to the x-ray image

Filtration is necessary in x-ray imaging to remove low energy photons which do not contribute to image quality but only increase patient radiation dose.

Explanation

Filtration is necessary in x-ray imaging to remove low energy photons which do not contribute to image quality but only increase patient radiation dose.

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19. Examples of compound filters.

Lead, copper (#29), aluminum (#13)the characteristic photons created from aluminum has such lower energy (1.5keV) that they are absorbed in... Lead, copper (#29), aluminum (#13)the characteristic photons created from aluminum has such lower energy (1.5keV) that they are absorbed in the air before it reaches the patient

Nickel

Brass

Steel

Compound filters used in radiology include lead, copper (#29), and aluminum (#13). Aluminum is particularly effective due to the absorption of low energy photons. Steel, brass, and nickel are not typically used as compound filters in this context.

Explanation

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20. What keV range is required for soft tissue penetration?

10-20 keV

70-80 keV

50-60 keV

30-40 keV

Soft tissue penetration requires the energy range of 30-40 keV to effectively penetrate the tissue. Lower energy levels may not be sufficient to penetrate the soft tissue, while higher energy levels can result in excessive radiation exposure.

Explanation

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