Chapter 09: Dental X–Ray Film Processing
Iannucci: Dental Radiography, 5th Edition
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. The latent image is
a.
visible to the naked eye.
b.
the image on the radiographic film after processing.
c.
the image on the radiographic film before processing but after exposure.
d.
the image on the radiographic film before exposure.
2. Which of the following statements is true about the development step in film processing?
a.
The unexposed, unenergized halide crystals are removed from the film.
b.
A subtraction reaction causes the black metallic silver to remain on the film.
c.
Developing is the first step in processing film.
d.
The film emulsion is hardened during the development stage.
3. When the film exits the film processor, you notice that it appears foggy and lacks detail.
Which of the following could be a possible solution to prevent this from occurring with the
next patient’s film?
a.
Increase fixing time.
b.
Eliminate light leaks.
c.
Increase developer temperature.
d.
Decrease safelight distance.
4. You have just taken your film from the water bath, and you notice white spots on the
radiographs. How can you prevent this from occurring in the future?
a.
Gently agitate fixer and developer with the film rack to disperse the air bubbles
when placing the film rack in the developer or fixer solution.
b.
Eliminate all light leaks.
c.
Increase fixation time.
d.
Prevent cross-contamination of chemicals.
5. All of your anterior radiographs have a single crescent shaped radiolucent line toward the
incisal edge of the radiograph. What is the most likely caused of this?
a.
Film processor gate is scratching the film.
b.
Torn emulsion from the film rack
c.
Bad package of film
d.
Improper opening of the film packet
6. You noticed that the top part of two of your radiographs is black when you take them out of
the manual processing tanks. Which of the following was the cause of this?
a.
Wash water is too cold.
b.
Fixer cut off
c.
Developer is too hot.
d.
Developer cut off
7. When comparing current patient radiographs to radiographs taken several years ago, you
noticed that the radiographs taken several years ago have a yellowish brown appearance. You
realize that you have seen the same type of spotting with other radiographs that were taken
several years ago. What is the cause of this?
a.
Underdevelopment
b.
Insufficient water bath
c.
Deterioration of radiograph over time
d.
Overfixation
8. You have just developed a set of bitewings. When they come out of the automatic processor,
the radiographs are clear. What is the cause of this error?
a.
Safelight was too close to the film.
b.
White light was left on while developing.
c.
Film was underdeveloped.
d.
Fixer and developer tanks were switched.
9. You noticed that the top quarter of one of your bitewings is black. The other three bitewings
that you put in the automatic processor were fine. What is the cause of this error?
a.
Safelight was turned off.
b.
White light was left on while developing.
c.
Darkroom door was opened before film was completely in automatic processor.
d.
Developer cut off
10. The overall appearance of your films is too dark. Which of the following is the cause of this
error?
a.
Film was in the developer too long.
b.
Film was in the fixer too long.
c.
The white light was left on while opening the film packets.
d.
Film was left in the water bath too long.
11. All excess chemicals are removed from the emulsion during
a.
development.
b.
rinsing.
c.
fixation.
d.
washing.
12. Concentrated powder and liquid film processing solutions are mixed with _______ before use.
a.
ammonia
b.
vinegar
c.
tap water
d.
distilled water
13. To maintain freshness, strength, and solution levels, film processing and wet tank solutions
must be replenished
a.
hourly.
b.
daily.
c.
weekly.
d.
monthly.
14. Normal use of processing chemistry is defined as ____ intraoral films per day.
a.
18
b.
30
c.
50
d.
60
15. The black shades and the distinct contrast of the radiographic image are created by
_______________ in the developer solution.
a.
sodium sulfite
b.
sodium carbonate
c.
hydroquinone
d.
elon
16. Developer solution should be kept at____ degrees Fahrenheit for optimum developing
conditions.
a.
64
b.
68
c.
72
d.
76
17. The chemical responsible for creating the gray shades on the radiographs is?
a.
Hydroquinone
b.
Sodium sulfite
c.
Elon
d.
Sodium carbonate
18. Developer solution will not be effective below
a.
60 degrees Fahrenheit.
b.
63 degrees Fahrenheit.
c.
65 degrees Fahrenheit.
d.
75 degrees Fahrenheit.
19. (1) Developer chemicals contain a preservative that prevents the chemicals from oxidizing
when exposed to air. (2) Sodium carbonate is the preservative used in developer solutions.
a.
Both statements are true.
b.
Both statements are false.
c.
The first statement is true; the second statement is false.
d.
The first statement is false; the second statement is true.
20. From where will you retrieve your film when it exits the automatic processor?
a.
Drying chamber
b.
Film feed slot
c.
Film recovery slot
d.
Film retrieval holding area
21. The developer solution contains a preservative to prevent oxidation when the chemicals come
in contact with _______________.
a.
silver halide
b.
silver bromide
c.
air
d.
moisture
22. (1) Potassium bromide, an alkaline accelerator, activates the developer solution and softens
the gelatin in the film emulsion. (2) Sodium carbonate, the restrainer, prevents film fog by
stopping the development of the silver halide crystals.
a.
Both statements are true.
b.
Both statements are false.
c.
The first statement is true; the second statement is false.
d.
The first statement is false; the second statement is true.
23. (1) The developer chemicals should be checked and replenished if needed on a daily basis. (2)
The fixer chemicals should be checked and replenished if needed on a weekly basis.
a.
Both statements are true.
b.
Both statements are false.
c.
The first statement is true; the second statement is false.
d.
The first statement is false; the second statement is true.
24. (1) The radiolucent image on the film becomes more visible during the development stage
when the developing agent, sodium thiosulfate or ammonium thiosulfate, removes the
unexposed, underdeveloped silver halide crystals from the film emulsion. (2) Continued
development of the crystals during the fixing process is prevented by the acidifier, acetic or
sulfuric acid, in the fixer.
a.
Both statements are true.
b.
Both statements are false.
c.
The first statement is true; the second statement is false.
d.
The first statement is false; the second statement is true.
25. Acetic acid in the fixture acts as a preservative to prevent chemical breakdown of the fixing
agent. Potassium alum contracts and solidifies the gelatin in the film emulsion during the
fixation process.
a.
Both statements are true.
b.
Both statements are false.
c.
The first statement is true; the second statement is false.
d.
The first statement is false; the second statement is true.
26. The film that you just developed is dull gray and lacks contrast. Which of the following
should prevent this from occurring?
a.
Films should not touch during film processing.
b.
The safe light should be at least 4 feet away from the film.
c.
The developer and water bath should be the same temperature.
d.
The film should be rinsed thoroughly before drying.
27. Safelighting is a ______-intensity light composed of ______ wavelengths of the visible light
spectrum.
a.
low; long
b.
low; short
c.
high; long
d.
high; short
28. Safelighting is in the ____________ portion of the visible light spectrum.
a.
red-orange
b.
orange-yellow
c.
yellow-green
d.
green-blue
29. Films that are exposed to safelight illumination for more than 2 or 3 minutes will appear
a.
lighter overall than they otherwise would appear.
b.
fogged.
c.
to have higher contrast than they otherwise would appear.
d.
unchanged.
30. Your radiograph has thin diverging black lines on it. What is the most likely cause of this?
a.
Humidity levels are too high, and you opened the packet too quickly.
b.
Humidity levels are too low, and you opened the packet too quickly.
c.
The developer was 10 degrees hotter than the water bath.
d.
The fixer was 10 degrees colder than the water bath.
31. Which of the following statements is true of manual processing tanks?
a.
The developer is on the right, and the fixer is on the left.
b.
There are two master tanks and one insert tank.
c.
The two insert tanks fit in the master tank.
d.
Water is placed in the insert tank.
32. The lid of the processing tank prevents which of the following from occurring?
a.
Oxidation and evaporation of chemicals
b.
Imbibing water into chemicals
c.
Raising the humidity level in the room to levels that would negatively affect
processing
d.
Water contamination in the master tank
33. (1) The temperatures of the developer and fixer solutions are controlled by the mixing valve.
(2) A thermometer is put inside the developer tank for manual processing.
a.
Both statements are true.
b.
Both statements are false.
c.
The first statement is true; the second statement is false.
d.
The first statement is false; the second statement is true.
34. Which of the following statements is true of automatic film processors?
a.
All automatic film processors are capable of processing a number of different sizes
of x-ray film.
b.
All automatic film processors may be used in a room with white light.
c.
Only automatic film processors with daylight loaders may be used in a room with
white light.
d.
Automatic processing takes more time than manual processing.
35. A timer is used to indicate time intervals during which of the following steps of manual
processing?
1. Developer solution
2. Rinse water
3. Fixer solution
4. Wash water
a.
1, 2, 3, 4
b.
2, 3, 4
c.
2, 4
d.
4 only
36. Film hangers are a device used to
a.
hold films during processing.
b.
mount films.
c.
view films.
d.
open film packets.
37. The purpose of a stirring rod is to
a.
scrape bubbles from the surface of the films when they are in solution.
b.
mix the chemicals and equalize the temperature of the solutions.
c.
mix developer and fixer together in the master tank.
d.
recover the thermometer from the bottom of the master tank.
38. Developer solution should be changed ________________ fixer solution.
a.
twice as often as
b.
more often than
c.
less often than
d.
at the same time as
39. (1) The developer solution becomes depleted from evaporation and the removal of small
amounts of solution from the tank on the film hanger and films. (2) With time and use, the
developer solution decreases in volume but increases in strength.
a.
Both statements are true.
b.
Both statements are false.
c.
The first statement is true; the second statement is false.
d.
The first statement is false; the second statement is true.
40. An exhausted developer produces a radiograph with
a.
reduced density and increased contrast.
b.
reduced density and reduced contrast.
c.
increased density and increased contrast.
d.
increased density and reduced contrast.
41. Exhausted fixer produces a radiograph
a.
with adequate “clearing” of the film.
b.
with proper hardening of the film emulsion.
c.
that will turn a yellow-brown color because exhausted fixer does not stop the
chemical reaction.
d.
that will require longer exposure time to achieve comparable contrast and density.
42. (1) The master and insert tanks must be cleaned with a solution of hydrochloric acid and water
each time the solutions are changed, (2) because deposits form on the inside walls of the insert
tanks from an interaction between mineral salts in the water and carbonate in the processing
solutions.
a.
Both the statement and the reason are correct.
b.
Both the statement and the reason are not correct.
c.
The statement is correct, but the reason is not correct.
d.
The statement is not correct, but the reason is correct.
43. The major advantage of automatic film processing versus manual film processing is
a.
less processing time is required.
b.
time is manually controlled.
c.
water temperature is manually controlled.
d.
more sophisticated equipment is used.
44. Which of the following statements is true of automatic processing?
a.
Wrapped films are fed into the film feed slot.
b.
The developing chemistry may be used interchangeably between automatic and
manual film processing.
c.
Developer solution for automatic processing is heated to the same temperature as
developer solution for manual processing.
d.
The film is transported directly from the developer solution into the fixer without a
rinsing step.
45. An extraoral cleaning film is used to
a.
wipe the rollers off when the processor is disassembled.
b.
clean residual gelatin or dirt from the rollers.
c.
disinfect the daylight loader of the automatic processor.
d.
clean the master tank of a manual processor.
46. Duplicating film
a.
is placed inside the patient’s mouth.
b.
is the same as intraoral film.
c.
is gray on both sides of the film packet.
d.
requires the use of a film duplicator.
47. Underdeveloped films may result from
a.
excess development time.
b.
overconcentrated developer solution.
c.
high developer temperature.
d.
low developer temperature.
48. Overdeveloped films may result from
a.
inadequate development time.
b.
overconcentrated developer solution.
c.
low developer temperature.
d.
depleted or contaminated developer solution.
49. Reticulation means the film appears
a.
to have white spots.
b.
to have dark spots.
c.
cracked.
d.
as thin, black branching lines.
50. Insufficient fixation time or insufficient rinsing would lead to
a.
overdeveloped film.
b.
reticulation of emulsion.
c.
yellow-brown films.
d.
fixer cutoff.
51. Developer cutoff appears as a
a.
straight white border on the film.
b.
straight black border on the film.
c.
curved white border on the film.
d.
curved black border on the film.