Recognize Equipment Malfunctions - ARRT Radiography Exam

1. Which immediate action is required if the exposure switch sticks in the ON position during an exposure?

   Release the switch and use the emergency-off/power disconnect immediately. This action prevents prolonged radiation exposure, ensuring patient and operator safety by immediately halting the malfunctioning exposure process.

2. What is the appropriate action if the Bucky tray does not lock securely in place?

   Do not expose; remove from service and report mechanical failure. An unsecured tray risks movement artifacts or misalignment during exposure, compromising image quality and patient safety.

3. Which indicator most strongly suggests a failing x-ray tube filament?

   Intermittent exposures or repeated filament error messages. These signs reflect filament degradation, which impairs electron emission and leads to unreliable x-ray production.

4. Identify the appropriate action if a portable x-ray unit will not hold a charge or loses power quickly.

   Remove from service and report battery/charging system failure. Power issues compromise reliable operation during mobile procedures, requiring service to restore functionality and prevent interruptions.

5. Which action is required if a ceiling-suspended tube crane drifts or will not hold position?

   Remove from service and report mechanical counterbalance/brake failure. Drifting indicates faulty brakes or counterbalances, posing injury risks from uncontrolled movement during positioning.

6. Identify the likely cause when CR images show a consistent wide white band along one edge.

   CR reader transport/scan error; clean per policy and report if unresolved. The band artifact results from incomplete scanning or debris interference, warranting cleaning to restore uniform image processing.

7. What is the correct action when a CR reader repeatedly jams or fails to read plates?

   Stop processing, remove from service, and contact service support. Repeated failures disrupt workflow and may damage plates, requiring service to diagnose and repair mechanical or optical components.

8. Which response is appropriate if the exposure indicator or technique display is blank or flickering?

   Do not expose; power down if needed and report control console failure. Display malfunctions prevent accurate technique selection, risking improper exposures and necessitating repair for reliable operation.

9. What is the correct response if the AEC terminates exposure too late, causing overexposure across exams?

   Discontinue AEC use and report for physics/service calibration. Systematic overexposure indicates a global calibration fault in automatic exposure control, mandating manual techniques for dose control.

10. Which malfunction is suggested by a burning odor or smoke from the x-ray tube housing?

    Electrical overheating or arcing; shut down and remove from service. These symptoms indicate potential electrical failure or insulation breakdown, necessitating immediate removal to avoid fire hazards or equipment damage.

11. What is the correct action if an error message indicates a failed system self-test at startup?

    Do not use clinically; follow vendor restart steps and report to service. Failed self-tests signal underlying system issues that could affect performance, mandating vendor protocols to ensure safe operation.

12. Which reporting step is appropriate after identifying a malfunction that could affect patient safety or dose?

    Document, tag out of service, notify supervisor, and contact service/physics. This protocol ensures traceability, prevents use of faulty equipment, and facilitates prompt expert intervention for safety and compliance.

13. Identify the likely malfunction when grid motion is absent on a table Bucky and grid lines appear.

    Reciprocating grid failure; remove from service and report for repair. Lack of motion in a reciprocating grid causes visible lines due to stationary attenuation, indicating a mechanical failure needing repair.

14. Which corrective action is appropriate when the collimator lamp is out and a replacement is available?

    Replace the collimator bulb per policy and verify light field operation. Replacement restores visibility for accurate collimation, with verification ensuring proper alignment and function before resuming use.

15. Which malfunction is most likely when a DR image shows repeating dead pixels or lines in the same location?

    Detector element failure; perform QC/bad pixel map and report if persistent. Persistent defects in fixed positions indicate hardware failure in the detector array, requiring quality control to assess and mitigate impact.

16. What does repeated arcing with loud snapping sounds during exposure preparation suggest?

    High-voltage arcing; shut down and remove the system from service. Arcing noises during prep phase indicate high-voltage breakdown, posing risks of tube failure or electrical hazards.

17. Identify the most likely cause when the collimator light fails to illuminate but exposure is possible.

    Burned-out collimator lamp or failed collimator power supply. The light operates independently from the x-ray generation system, so failure points to issues specific to the bulb or its power source.

18. What is the proper response if a DR detector shows visible cracks or fluid intrusion is suspected?

    Remove detector from use, isolate it, and report immediately. Physical damage can lead to electrical shorts or image artifacts, necessitating isolation to prevent further degradation or safety risks.

19. What is the correct response if a tube rotor continues to spin after the exposure is completed?

    Remove the unit from service and report for service evaluation. Continued spinning indicates a control circuit failure that could lead to tube damage, requiring professional evaluation to prevent further issues.

20. Which problem is suggested when the AEC consistently produces images that are too dark for one chamber?

    AEC chamber or calibration error; stop using that chamber and report. Consistent underexposure from one chamber points to localized detector or calibration issues, requiring isolation to avoid diagnostic errors.

21. What should be done if the interlock system fails and exposure is possible with the door open?

    Stop use immediately, secure the room, and report a critical safety failure. Interlock failure bypasses essential radiation safety protocols, requiring immediate securing to prevent unauthorized exposure risks.

22. Which response is required if the tube head or collimator housing is unusually hot to the touch?

    Stop use, allow cooling, and report possible overheating malfunction. Excessive heat suggests cooling system failure, which can cause thermal damage to components if operation continues.

23. Which issue is indicated if the PBL (automatic collimation) selects an incorrect field size repeatedly?

    PBL sensor/calibration malfunction; disable PBL and report for service. Repeated errors suggest sensor or software faults in the positive beam limitation system, necessitating manual mode to maintain accuracy.

24. Identify the appropriate response if a lead apron shows cracks on inspection or fails fluoroscopic check.

    Remove from clinical use and tag for replacement per policy. Cracks compromise radiation shielding effectiveness, requiring replacement to maintain personnel protection during procedures.

25. What does a light field that does not match the x-ray field indicate during a collimation check?

    Collimator misalignment; remove from service and report for calibration. Mismatch signifies calibration errors that could result in improper radiation fields, increasing patient dose and requiring recalibration.

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