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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Human Anatomy & Medicine

Master the Radiography Code of Ethics - Take the Quiz!

Think you can ace radiography ethics guidelines? Start the quiz!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration for radiography ethics quiz on a coral background

Ready to challenge yourself and reinforce the radiography code of ethics? Our free quiz is designed to help radiologic technologists, radiography students and healthcare professionals deepen their grasp of medical ethics in radiography. You'll explore key topics from patient confidentiality in radiography to the latest radiography ethics guidelines, and test critical decision-making in real-world scenarios that shape radiologic technologist ethics. Looking for more hands-on prep? Try our radiology practice test or sharpen your skills with the X-Ray Tech Review Quiz . Challenge yourself now and see if you truly master ethical imaging - start the quiz today!

Which ethical principle requires radiographers to safeguard patient information and maintain confidentiality?
Beneficence
Autonomy
Confidentiality
Justice
Confidentiality is the obligation to protect patient information from unauthorized disclosure. Maintaining confidentiality fosters trust between patients and healthcare providers. A breach can lead to legal action and loss of professional credibility. ASRT Code of Ethics
Which principle obligates radiographers to avoid causing harm to patients?
Beneficence
Nonmaleficence
Autonomy
Justice
Nonmaleficence literally means “do no harm,” directing radiographers to avoid actions that may injure patients. It emphasizes safe practice and risk reduction in imaging procedures. Violations of this principle can result in patient injury and professional sanctions. ACR Ethics Guidelines
Before conducting a radiographic exam, obtaining what from the patient is ethically mandatory?
Implied consent after procedure
Verbal consent only
Informed consent
No consent is needed
Informed consent requires providing patients with procedure details, risks, benefits, and alternatives, then obtaining their agreement. It respects patient autonomy and legal rights. Performing imaging without it can be considered battery. HHS Informed Consent Guidance
Verifying patient identity with two unique identifiers helps prevent what?
Equipment malfunction
Wrong?patient errors
Radiation leakage
Billing mistakes
Using two identifiers, such as name and date of birth, reduces the risk of performing exams on the wrong patient. This practice is a Joint Commission requirement for safety. It prevents diagnostic errors and increases patient trust. The Joint Commission Patient Identification Standards
Which action represents a violation of professional boundaries in radiography?
Discussing imaging procedures clearly
Accepting large gifts from patients
Maintaining appropriate distance
Providing privacy during exams
Accepting significant gifts from patients can create conflicts of interest and harm objectivity. Professional boundaries ensure that care remains patient?centered and unbiased. Small tokens may be acceptable, but large gifts are discouraged. ASRT Code of Ethics
What does the acronym ALARA stand for in radiation protection?
As Long As Radiation Applies
Always Limit All Radiation Amounts
As Low As Reasonably Achievable
As Light As Radiation Allows
ALARA emphasizes minimizing radiation exposure by using the lowest dose that still achieves diagnostic image quality. It is a cornerstone of radiation safety practice. Compliance reduces both patient and staff risk. NRC Radiation Protection
Which of the following is a standard precaution to reduce infection risk?
Washing hands before and after patient contact
Ignoring spills on the imaging table
Reusing single?use syringes
Leaving gloves off to communicate better
Hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent healthcare?associated infections. Standard precautions also include using gloves and other personal protective equipment. Contaminated surfaces and instruments must be cleaned and disinfected. CDC Standard Precautions
Providing equal radiographic care to all patients is an example of which ethical principle?
Autonomy
Justice
Beneficence
Veracity
Justice relates to fairness and equity in distributing healthcare resources. It mandates that all patients receive equal care regardless of background. Discrimination based on race, gender, or socioeconomic status violates this principle. ASRT Code of Ethics
Why should radiographers use radiation dose-monitoring devices such as dosimeters?
To monitor individual exposure and ensure safety
To improve image resolution
To calibrate the machine daily
To measure patient weight
Dosimeters track cumulative radiation exposure to protect staff from excessive doses. Monitoring ensures adherence to regulatory dose limits. Data from dosimeters guide radiation safety practices. NRC Radiation Protection
Maintaining accurate and complete patient records is primarily important for what reason?
Legal documentation and continuity of care
Charging extra fees
Marketing services
Scheduling appointments only
Accurate records support patient safety, treatment planning, and legal accountability. They facilitate effective communication among care providers. Incomplete documentation can compromise care and result in liability. ASRT Code of Ethics
What action is a radiographer legally required to take if they suspect child abuse?
Ignore and continue with exam
Report to appropriate authorities
Confront the family directly
Only notify the attending physician
Radiographers are mandatory reporters for suspected child abuse. They must notify child protective services or other designated authorities. Prompt reporting helps protect vulnerable patients. Child Welfare Information Gateway
Under HIPAA, what must radiographers do to protect patient health information (PHI)?
Share PHI freely with all staff
Disclose PHI without patient consent
Use secure systems and limit access
Store PHI on public cloud unencrypted
HIPAA requires safeguards for PHI, including technical, administrative, and physical measures. Radiographers must limit access to authorized personnel and use encrypted systems. Violations can result in severe penalties. HHS HIPAA Information
Utilizing immobilization devices when necessary helps in ethics by doing what?
Increasing patient discomfort
Reducing the need for repeat exams
Prolonging procedure time unnecessarily
Eliminating informed consent
Immobilization devices reduce patient movement, improve image quality, and minimize repeat exposures. This aligns with the nonmaleficence principle by reducing unnecessary radiation. Proper use requires patient explanation and consent. AuntMinnie Radiation Safety Resources
Respecting patient dignity in radiography includes which practice?
Leaving the room door open
Exposing more of the body than needed
Providing appropriate gowns and draping
Ignoring patient’s comfort concerns
Providing gowns and proper draping maintains modesty and respects personal dignity. It also reduces patient anxiety during imaging. Ensuring privacy is a core aspect of professional care. ASRT Code of Ethics
Which best describes the difference between ethics and law in radiography practice?
Laws are optional guidelines; ethics are enforced by courts
Laws are regulations; ethics are professional standards guiding behavior
Ethics are punishable by fines; laws are voluntary
There is no difference
Laws are mandatory rules enforced by government authorities, while ethics are voluntary professional standards. Ethical guidelines often exceed legal minimums to promote best practice. Radiographers must follow both. NCBI Ethics vs Law
When imaging a minor, what is required in addition to the minor’s assent?
Nothing else
Guardian or parent consent
Consent from school
Radiographer’s own signature
Minors usually cannot provide legal consent, so a parent or legal guardian must consent for them. The minor’s assent shows willingness but does not replace guardian consent. Exceptions exist in emergencies. HHS Minor Consent Guidelines
Engaging in continuing education for radiographers is ethically important because it ensures what?
Lower radiation doses only
Up-to-date competency and patient safety
Increased billing rates
Personal leisure activity
Continuing education maintains clinical competency and awareness of evolving safety standards. It upholds the beneficence principle by promoting optimal patient care. Many states require ongoing CE for licensure renewal. ASRT Continuing Education
Which behavior would be considered discriminatory and unethical?
Offering language translation services
Refusing care based on patient’s religion
Providing pain relief options
Scheduling urgent exams promptly
Refusing care due to a patient’s religion violates justice and nondiscrimination principles. All patients deserve equal access to radiographic services. Ethical practice requires accommodating diverse needs. ASRT Code of Ethics
Professional liability insurance for radiographers primarily serves to protect against what?
Equipment failure
Malpractice claims and lawsuits
Patient discomfort
Scheduling conflicts
Liability insurance provides financial protection if a radiographer is sued for negligence or malpractice. It covers legal fees and potential settlements. Having coverage demonstrates professional responsibility. ASRT Code of Ethics
What is a conflict of interest scenario for a radiographer?
Referring patients to a facility where they have no affiliation
Accepting referral reimbursements from a self-owned imaging center
Following department policies strictly
Maintaining patient confidentiality
Accepting financial incentives for referrals can bias decision-making and compromise patient welfare. Conflicts of interest must be disclosed to preserve integrity. Many institutions prohibit such arrangements. ACR Ethical Guidelines
If a patient refuses a necessary decubitus exam, what is the ethically appropriate radiographer response?
Force the patient to comply
Respect autonomy, inform of risks, and document refusal
Ignore and perform other procedures
Report to law enforcement
Respecting patient autonomy means honoring their decision even if it conflicts with clinical recommendations. The radiographer should explain potential consequences and document the refusal in the medical record. This approach balances ethical and legal responsibilities. ASRT Code of Ethics
When a patient has an advanced directive refusing life-saving procedures but imaging is noninvasive, how should a radiographer proceed?
Refuse imaging entirely
Proceed with imaging after explaining it's noninvasive
Disregard the directive
Seek a court order
Advanced directives typically address life-sustaining measures, not routine diagnostic imaging. Radiographers may proceed if imaging does not conflict with the patient’s wishes. Clear communication ensures respect for patient autonomy. AMA Advanced Directives
What is the first step a radiographer should take when they witness a colleague performing an unsafe procedure?
Report directly to the media
Discuss concerns privately with the colleague and then escalate if needed
Ignore the behavior
Post on social media
Addressing concerns directly and respectfully allows the colleague to correct behavior in real time. If the issue persists, follow institutional reporting protocols. This process supports patient safety and professional accountability. ASRT Code of Ethics
Using de-identified patient data for research without further consent is acceptable under what condition?
If identifiers are removed and an IRB approves
Never allowed
If patient verbally agrees later
If data is publicly displayed
De-identified data may be used for research if an Institutional Review Board determines that privacy risks are minimal. This process aligns with ethical standards and regulations. Researchers must still follow data protection protocols. HHS Research Guidelines
In forensic radiography, maintaining chain of custody is crucial because it ensures what?
Patient comfort
Integrity and admissibility of evidence
Lower radiation dose
Faster processing times
Chain of custody documents every transfer of evidence to prove its authenticity in legal proceedings. Breaks in the chain can render radiographic evidence inadmissible. Proper handling protects legal outcomes. NIH Forensic Radiography
When a female patient of childbearing age is suspected to be pregnant, radiographers must do what before imaging?
Assume non-pregnant and proceed
Verify pregnancy status and discuss risks with referring physician
Refuse imaging indefinitely
Proceed only with verbal assent
Confirming pregnancy status prevents inadvertent fetal exposure. Radiographers should follow institutional policies for pregnancy screening and risk communication. Proper documentation is required. ACR Pregnancy Screening Guidelines
For significant radiation incidents exceeding threshold limits, radiographers are ethically required to do what?
Hide the incident
Notify supervising radiologist and follow reporting protocols
Continue practice as usual
Blame the equipment manufacturer
Timely reporting of overexposure events is critical for patient safety and corrective action. Ethical practice demands transparency and adherence to institutional incident reporting processes. This prevents future occurrences. NRC Overexposures Fact Sheet
Dual loyalty arises for radiographers working with incarcerated patients when what conflict occurs?
When charging for services
When responsibilities to patient and custodial staff diverge
When adjusting radiation settings
When documenting exposures accurately
Dual loyalty refers to conflicting obligations to patient welfare and institutional or custodial authorities. Radiographers must prioritize patient care while respecting security protocols. Ethical guidance helps navigate these tensions. NIH Dual Loyalty Discussion
How should a radiographer ethically advertise their imaging services?
Guaranteeing all exams are completely risk-free
Presenting services honestly and without misleading claims
Offering discounts only to certain groups
Using unverified patient testimonials
Ethical advertising requires transparency about risks, benefits, and limitations of imaging services. Misleading or exaggerated claims undermine professional integrity. Equal access must be offered to all. ASRT Code of Ethics
Which discriminatory practice is prohibited in occupational health radiography?
Adjusting protocols to minimize exposure
Refusing surveillance radiography based on gender or age
Offering optional exams to volunteers
Recording doses accurately
Discrimination by gender, age, race, or other factors violates ethical standards and patient rights. Occupational health radiography must treat all employees equally. Fairness and compliance with laws are mandatory. ASRT Code of Ethics
When a competent patient fully understands the risks but refuses all necessary imaging, what must the radiographer do?
Override refusal and perform procedure
Respect patient autonomy and document refusal
Force policy compliance
Discharge patient without documentation
Respecting autonomy means honoring informed decisions even if they conflict with clinical advice. Documenting refusal protects both patient rights and the radiographer legally. Open dialogue should still be offered. ASRT Code of Ethics
If institutional policy conflicts with a national radiography code of ethics, what should a radiographer do?
Follow only institutional policy regardless
Adhere to the higher standard of the national code and seek clarification
Ignore both policies
Resign immediately
When policies conflict, professionals should follow the more stringent ethical standard, then address discrepancies through proper channels. This upholds professional integrity and patient welfare. Documentation of the conflict and resolutions is recommended. ASRT Code of Ethics
Using AI-based image analysis tools poses which specific ethical concern for patient data?
Increased manual workload
Potential algorithm bias and data confidentiality breaches
Guaranteed 100% accuracy
Eliminated need for radiographer consent
AI tools may reflect biases present in training data, leading to disparities in diagnosis. They also raise concerns about secure handling and storage of sensitive patient images and metadata. Ethical frameworks guide responsible AI use. Nature AI Ethics
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Core Ethical Principles -

    Grasp the fundamental tenets of the radiography code of ethics and how they guide professional behavior in imaging practice.

  2. Apply Ethics Guidelines -

    Use medical ethics in radiography to make informed decisions in real-world clinical scenarios and uphold patient welfare.

  3. Identify Ethical Dilemmas -

    Recognize common challenges radiologic technologists face and explore strategies to resolve conflicts ethically.

  4. Analyze Confidentiality Requirements -

    Examine patient confidentiality in radiography and ensure compliance with privacy standards and legal obligations.

  5. Recall Professional Standards -

    Memorize key radiography ethics guidelines and professional responsibilities expected of certified technologists.

  6. Evaluate Patient-Centered Care -

    Assess best practices for delivering ethical, compassionate imaging services that respect patient rights and dignity.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Confidentiality and Patient Privacy -

    Uphold HIPAA and institutional guidelines to safeguard personal health information in medical ethics in radiography. Always secure and anonymize imaging files, whether on PACS or written reports, to prevent unauthorized access. Remember: "Privacy First" as a core tenet of the radiography code of ethics.

  2. Informed Consent -

    Ensure patients understand procedures by explaining purpose, risks, and benefits in clear, non-technical language. Use the "5 W's" mnemonic - Who, What, Why, When, Risks - to cover all consent elements systematically. This fosters trust and aligns with professional radiologic technologist ethics.

  3. Non-Maleficence and Beneficence -

    Adhere to the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle to minimize radiation exposure while maximizing diagnostic quality. Balance patient safety with clinical benefits by conducting regular dose audits and quality checks per ACR and WHO guidelines. These practices embody the core of radiography ethics guidelines.

  4. Professional Competency and Continuing Education -

    Commit to ongoing learning by meeting ARRT continuing education requirements and attending accredited workshops. Use the "CIRCLE" mnemonic - Continuous Improvement Radiography Competency Learning Education - to track your progress. Staying current with technology and protocols reflects dedication to medical ethics in radiography.

  5. Integrity in Image Acquisition and Reporting -

    Maintain accuracy by following ACR's standardized reporting templates and peer-review processes to avoid diagnostic errors. Document any image retakes and communicate findings transparently to the care team. Honest reporting upholds the trust foundational to the radiography code of ethics.

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