ARRT category · 8% of exam
Thorax and Abdomen Procedures
Tests positioning for the chest, abdomen, GI, hepatobiliary, and urinary tract, including PA chest, lateral, lordotic, decubitus, UGI, BE, and IVU. Approximately 8% of the ARRT exam.
Sample question
One free question from the 75-question Thorax and Abdomen bank. Read it, pick your answer, then expand the rationale.
On a properly positioned and exposed PA chest radiograph in an adult, how many posterior ribs should be visible above the diaphragm to indicate adequate inspiration?
Show answer and full rationale
Correct answer: B. 10 posterior ribs
A, Incorrect: 8 posterior ribs typically indicates underinspiration. Repeat with full inspiration.
B, Correct: Correct. The standard is at least 10 posterior ribs visible above the diaphragm on a properly inspired adult PA chest. Underinspiration (only 8 visible) compresses lung markings and may mimic pulmonary disease.
C, Incorrect: Counting anterior ribs is less reliable because they're more variable and angle differently. Use posterior ribs as the standard.
D, Incorrect: Costophrenic angle visibility is part of quality assessment but does not specifically indicate inspiration adequacy.
Topics tested in this category
- PA chest at 72 inch SID
- Lateral chest (left lateral by default)
- Lordotic position for apices
- Decubitus chest (free fluid, free air)
- Abdomen series (KUB, supine, upright, decubitus)
- Upper GI series and the duodenal bulb
- Barium enema (single and double contrast)
- Intravenous urography (IVU)
- Pediatric chest considerations
Drill the full 75-question bank.
Free tier includes 50 mixed-category questions. Premium unlocks all 1,814 ARRT-style questions, 3 timed mock exams, and adaptive drill sessions in this category.
Frequently asked questions
How many Thorax and Abdomen questions are on the ARRT Radiography Boards?
The Thorax and Abdomen Procedures category accounts for approximately 8% of the ARRT Radiography Boards exam, that's roughly 16 of the 200 scored questions on each administration. The full Radtechprepper practice bank contains 75 questions in this category, giving you ample room to drill until the patterns are second nature.
What topics are tested in the Thorax and Abdomen category?
The Thorax and Abdomen category tests: PA chest at 72 inch SID; Lateral chest (left lateral by default); Lordotic position for apices; Decubitus chest (free fluid, free air); Abdomen series (KUB, supine, upright, decubitus). The full topic list is in the ARRT Radiography Content Specifications 2025.
How should I study for the Thorax and Abdomen category?
Start with the chapter overviews in this curriculum that map to Thorax and Abdomen, they cover the core concepts in plain English. Then drill questions in the practice bank, pause on every miss, read the rationale, and re-drill the same topic the next day. The ARRT exam rewards spaced repetition more than cram studying.