DHA Radiography Exam Pattern and Important Questions Guide
DHA Radiography Exam Pattern and Important Questions Guide
For radiographers and medical imaging technologists, Dubai’s advanced healthcare sector offers a career landscape defined by innovation, cutting-edge technology, and professional growth. To become part of this elite system, candidates must first demonstrate their expertise by passing the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) Radiography Prometric Exam. This is not merely a test of technical skill but a comprehensive evaluation of a radiographer’s understanding of physics, patient safety, and clinical application.
Success on the DHA exam requires a deep, integrated knowledge base. It’s about more than just knowing how to position a patient; it’s about understanding why that position is chosen, how to optimize image quality while minimizing radiation dose, and how to manage patient care with the highest ethical standards. The exam pattern is designed to test this holistic competency through challenging, scenario-based questions.
This guide serves as your definitive resource for understanding the DHA Radiography exam pattern and mastering its most important questions. We will break down the core domains, provide a series of realistic practice questions with exhaustive rationales, and outline a strategic approach to your preparation. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and critical-thinking skills needed to not just pass the exam, but to excel.
Key Takeaways for Your DHA Radiography Prep
- ALARA is a Core Philosophy: The principle of “As Low As Reasonably Achievable” is central. Expect many questions on radiation protection, collimation, and dose reduction techniques.
- Master Radiographic Anatomy & Positioning: You must know standard and specialized views inside and out, including the anatomy they are designed to demonstrate.
- Physics and Instrumentation are Crucial: Understand the relationship between kVp, mAs, and image quality. Be familiar with grids, the anode heel effect, and digital imaging principles.
- Patient Safety First: Questions will cover contrast media reactions, infection control, patient communication, and informed consent.
- Know Your Modalities: While general radiography is the focus, foundational knowledge of CT, MRI, and Mammography principles is expected.
Dissecting the DHA Radiography Exam Pattern
The DHA exam for Radiographers/Radiological Technologists is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions with a 165-minute time limit. A successful DHA Prometric exam preparation strategy is built on a clear understanding of the exam’s content domains.
| Exam Domain | Key Subject Areas to Master |
|---|---|
| Patient Care, Safety & Ethics | Infection control, patient assessment, informed consent, communication, management of contrast media reactions, and professional ethics. |
| Image Production & Evaluation | Understanding radiographic exposure factors (kVp, mAs, SID), grids, beam restriction, digital image acquisition (CR/DR), image artifacts, and assessing diagnostic quality. |
| Radiographic Procedures & Anatomy | Positioning for all body systems (skeletal, thoracic, abdominal), including routine and specialized projections. Detailed knowledge of surface and cross-sectional anatomy. |
| Radiation Protection (ALARA) | Principles of ALARA, time, distance, shielding, personnel monitoring (dosimetry), patient dose reduction techniques, and understanding dose limits. |
| Equipment Operation & Quality Control | Principles of X-ray tube operation, fluoroscopy, mobile radiography, and quality control tests for radiographic equipment. Basic principles of CT, MRI, and Mammography. |
Important DHA Radiography Questions (with In-Depth Rationales)
This section provides a sample of exam-style questions. Focus on the reasoning process in each rationale. For a more exhaustive set of questions, it’s highly recommended to use a specialized question bank such as our DHA Radiographer MCQs.
1. A patient presents with a suspected fracture of the scaphoid bone following a fall on an outstretched hand. Which of the following is the most appropriate specialized view to best demonstrate the scaphoid?
- AP Oblique Wrist (medial rotation)
- PA Wrist with ulnar deviation
- Carpal Tunnel view (Gaynor-Hart method)
- PA Axial Wrist (Stecher method)
Correct Answer: B and D are both excellent choices, but PA with ulnar deviation is the most common initial special view. The Stecher method (D) is a more specific modification. Let’s select B as the most fundamental answer.
Detailed Rationale: The scaphoid bone is the most frequently fractured carpal bone, but it can be notoriously difficult to visualize on routine wrist radiographs due to its oblique orientation and foreshortening. The PA wrist view with ulnar deviation is specifically designed to overcome this. When the wrist is moved into ulnar deviation, the scaphoid elongates and rotates out from behind the other carpals, presenting a clearer profile and increasing the likelihood of visualizing a subtle fracture line. The PA Axial (Stecher) method, where the hand is elevated on a 20-degree sponge or the CR is angled, achieves a similar goal of elongating the scaphoid.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: Medial (internal) oblique rotation of the wrist is used to visualize the pisiform and the articulation between the triquetrum and hamate, not the scaphoid.
C: The Carpal Tunnel view is a tangential projection designed to visualize the carpal sulcus and rule out pathology like bony spurs impinging on the median nerve. It does not provide a diagnostic view of the scaphoid body.
2. A radiographer doubles the milliampere-seconds (mAs) for an exposure while keeping all other factors constant. What is the primary effect on the resulting radiograph?
- Decreased radiographic density/receptor exposure
- Increased radiographic density/receptor exposure
- Increased contrast
- Decreased recorded detail
Correct Answer: B
Detailed Rationale: Milliampere-seconds (mAs) is the product of tube current (mA) and exposure time (s). It is the primary controlling factor for the quantity of X-ray photons produced in the beam. A direct relationship exists between mAs and radiographic density (on film) or receptor exposure (in digital imaging). Therefore, doubling the mAs will double the number of photons reaching the image receptor, which in turn doubles the overall blackening of the image, resulting in increased density/receptor exposure.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: This is the opposite of the correct effect. Decreased density would result from halving the mAs.
C: The primary controlling factor for radiographic contrast is kilovoltage peak (kVp). While a significant change in mAs can have a minor secondary effect on contrast, its primary role is controlling density.
D: Recorded detail (sharpness) is primarily affected by geometric factors like focal spot size, SID, and OID, and by patient motion. Changing mAs does not directly impact recorded detail, although a very long exposure time (part of mAs) could increase the chance of motion unsharpness.
3. According to the inverse square law, if a radiographer doubles their distance from a radiation source, the intensity of the radiation they are exposed to will be reduced to:
- One-half of the original intensity
- One-third of the original intensity
- One-fourth of the original intensity
- One-eighth of the original intensity
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Rationale: The inverse square law is a fundamental principle of radiation protection. It states that the intensity of radiation from a point source is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source (Intensity ∝ 1/d²). If the distance (d) is doubled, the new intensity will be 1/(2²), which equals 1/4. Therefore, doubling the distance from a radiation source reduces the exposure to one-fourth of the original intensity. This is the most effective and simplest method for radiographers to reduce their occupational dose during procedures like fluoroscopy and mobile radiography.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: One-half would imply a linear inverse relationship (1/d), which is incorrect.
B & D: These fractions do not align with the mathematical formula of the inverse square law.
4. A patient scheduled for an intravenous urogram (IVU) reports an allergy to shellfish. What is the radiographer’s most appropriate initial action?
- Proceed with the exam as the allergy is not related to contrast media.
- Administer a prophylactic antihistamine and proceed.
- Cancel the exam immediately.
- Inform the radiologist of the patient’s reported allergy before proceeding.
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Rationale: While the old belief that a shellfish allergy directly predicts an allergy to iodinated contrast media has been largely debunked, any reported allergy, especially one that has previously been associated (even incorrectly) with contrast reactions, is a significant piece of information. The radiographer’s scope of practice does not include deciding to proceed or administer medication. The most appropriate and safe action is to communicate this finding to the radiologist. The radiologist will then assess the patient’s full allergy history, determine the actual risk, and decide on the appropriate course of action, which may include using a different type of contrast, premedication, or choosing an alternative imaging study.
Why other options are incorrect:
A: It is not within the radiographer’s scope of practice to make this clinical determination. It is a potential risk that must be escalated.
B: Administering medication without a physician’s order is outside the radiographer’s scope of practice.
C: Canceling the exam may be the final outcome, but it is not the initial action. The radiologist must be consulted first to make an informed decision.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The exam is graded as Pass/Fail. The exact percentage is not published by the DHA, but the industry benchmark for passing is generally considered to be around 60%. A safe target is to consistently score above 70% in your practice and mock exams.
The DHA Radiography exam has 150 multiple-choice questions. You will have 165 minutes to complete the test. This works out to just over a minute per question, so pacing yourself is important.
No, there is no penalty for guessing. Your score is based only on the number of correct answers. Therefore, you should answer every single question.
You are not expected to have the knowledge of a specialized CT or MRI technologist. However, you should understand the basic principles of how these modalities work, patient safety considerations (e.g., MRI safety zones, CT radiation dose), and common procedures for which they are used.
Candidates are typically allowed a maximum of three attempts. There is a mandatory waiting period between attempts, which you will be informed of in your results notification. If you fail all three attempts, you may need to provide evidence of further training before being eligible to reapply.
Upon passing, you will receive an eligibility letter from the DHA, which is valid for one year. You must then secure employment with a DHA-licensed healthcare facility in Dubai. Your employer will then handle the final steps of activating your professional DHA license.
Primary Source Verification (PSV) is a mandatory credentialing process performed by the DataFlow Group. They verify your education, license, and experience certificates directly with the issuing institutions. A successful PSV report is essential for your license activation.
Your original, valid passport. No other form of ID is accepted. The name on your passport must be an exact match to the name on your exam registration. Check this carefully beforehand.
Absolutely. For global best practices, standards, and educational resources, the International Society of Radiographers & Radiological Technologists (ISRRT) is an excellent external resource that represents technologists worldwide.
Yes, the Prometric testing platform allows you to navigate between questions. You can answer questions you are confident about first, flag the ones you are unsure of, and return to them later for review before you submit the exam, time permitting.
Conclusion: Imaging Your Success in Dubai
The DHA Radiography exam is a comprehensive assessment of the skills that define a competent and safe imaging professional. Success is not about memorizing facts, but about understanding the core principles of your profession—from the physics of image formation to the ethics of patient care. By studying the exam pattern, engaging deeply with practice questions, and committing to a structured preparation plan, you are building the foundation for a successful career in Dubai’s dynamic healthcare sector.
Ready to Focus Your Exam Preparation?
Our comprehensive MCQ bank for the DHA Radiography exam is designed to test your knowledge, sharpen your reasoning, and prepare you for success.
