Radiologic Technologist Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Radiologic Technologist Test. Utilize flashcards and multiple choice questions, each accompanied by hints and explanations. Enhance your readiness for the exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

For a lateral projection of the knee, how is the patient’s leg flexed?

5° to 10°
20° to 30°
40° to 45°
90°

The correct answer is: 20° to 30°

In a lateral projection of the knee, the correct angle to flex the patient's leg is between 20° to 30°. This degree of flexion is specifically chosen to optimize the image quality by clearly demonstrating the knee joint space and reducing superimposition of the femur and tibia. Flexing the knee at this angle allows for better visualization of the patellofemoral joint and other critical anatomical structures associated with the knee. Flexing the knee more than this recommended range can potentially obscure important details in the radiographic image or alter the alignment of the knee joint being examined. For example, a 5° to 10° flexion would be insufficient to visualize the patella properly, while 40° to 45° or 90° flexion could cause additional structure overlap that may complicate interpretation of the x-ray. Hence, the 20° to 30° flexion is an established practice that provides the optimal balance of visibility and anatomical clarity for lateral knee imaging.