Radiology Practice Test 2025 - Free Radiology Practice Questions and Study Guide

The choice that indicates CT uses ionizing radiation and is better for bone imaging is accurate because it highlights two key differences between CT scans and MRIs. CT scans utilize X-rays, which are a form of ionizing radiation. This radiation is effective for visualizing bony structures due to its ability to produce clear images of dense tissues, such as bones. Consequently, CT is often the preferred imaging modality for diagnosing fractures, assessing bony abnormalities, or visualizing complex anatomical areas that include bone structures.

In contrast, MRIs operate using powerful magnets and radio waves to generate images, which means they do not involve ionizing radiation. MRIs are superior for soft tissue imaging, including muscles, ligaments, and organs, offering enhanced contrast between different types of soft tissue. This makes MRI particularly valuable for neurological, musculoskeletal, and oncological evaluations.

While this choice accurately reflects a fundamental difference between CT and MRI related to radiation and bone imaging, options that suggest MRI uses ionizing radiation, or that it is better for bone imaging, are incorrect due to the different mechanisms of image acquisition and the inherent strengths of each modality. Likewise, the claim that MRI requires more radiation than a CT scan is not valid since MRIs do not use radiation at all