Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC) Practice Exam

What type of radiation does a CT scan machine use to generate its images?

1. Magnetic radiation

2. Infrared radiation

3. Ionizing radiation

4. Ultraviolet radiation

The correct answer is: Ionizing radiation

A CT scan machine uses ionizing radiation to generate its images. This type of radiation is capable of penetrating the body and interacting with tissues to create detailed cross-sectional images of the internal structures. The ionizing radiation is typically in the form of X-rays, which have enough energy to displace electrons from atoms, leading to the formation of images based on the varying densities of different tissues. In contrast, magnetic radiation, such as that used in MRI machines, does not penetrate tissue in the same manner as ionizing radiation. Infrared radiation is primarily associated with thermal imaging and does not offer the same level of detail for internal structures as CT scans. Ultraviolet radiation is typically not used for imaging purposes in medical diagnostics due to its potential to cause harm through DNA damage. Thus, ionizing radiation is the appropriate and effective choice for generating the high-resolution images produced by a CT scan.