Radiotherapy Technology MCQs for NHPC Nepal – Diploma in Radiotherapy Technology License Exam

Here are 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) for the Diploma in Radiotherapy Technology License Examination. The questions cover various aspects of radiotherapy, including principles, techniques, equipment, patient care, and radiation safety. The answer key is provided at the end.

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1. Radiotherapy is primarily used to treat:

a) Infections
b) Cancer
c) Fractures
d) Heart diseases

2. The main function of a linear accelerator (LINAC) in radiotherapy is to:

a) Deliver high-energy X-rays or electrons
b) Monitor the patient’s vital signs
c) Administer chemotherapy
d) Perform diagnostic imaging

3. The most commonly used type of radiation in external beam radiotherapy is:

a) Alpha particles
b) Beta particles
c) X-rays
d) Gamma rays

4. The primary goal of radiotherapy is to:

a) Shrink tumors or kill cancer cells
b) Increase blood flow to the tumor
c) Relieve bone pain
d) Remove tumor surgically

5. Which of the following techniques is used to deliver radiation from multiple directions to the tumor?

a) Brachytherapy
b) External beam radiotherapy
c) Proton therapy
d) Stereotactic radiotherapy

6. The term “fractionation” in radiotherapy refers to:

a) The division of the total dose into smaller doses over time
b) The total dose given in a single session
c) The type of radiation used
d) The treatment plan used for different cancers

7. Which of the following factors does NOT affect the effectiveness of radiotherapy?

a) Type of cancer
b) Size and location of the tumor
c) Age of the patient
d) Tumor’s sensitivity to radiation

8. Which of the following is the standard unit of measurement for radiation dose?

a) Rad
b) Gy (Gray)
c) Sievert (Sv)
d) Becquerel (Bq)

9. The purpose of immobilization devices during radiotherapy is to:

a) Keep the patient comfortable during the procedure
b) Prevent movement during treatment to ensure accurate radiation delivery
c) Relieve pain
d) Increase the speed of treatment

10. Which of the following is the most common form of internal radiotherapy?

a) External beam radiotherapy
b) Stereotactic radiotherapy
c) Brachytherapy
d) Proton therapy

11. Which of the following machines is commonly used in external beam radiotherapy?

a) Cyclotron
b) Linear accelerator (LINAC)
c) Gamma knife
d) MRI machine

12. Which type of radiation is primarily used in brachytherapy?

a) X-rays
b) Gamma rays
c) Electrons
d) Neutrons

13. The dose of radiation delivered to the tumor is typically prescribed by the:

a) Radiotherapy technologist
b) Radiation oncologist
c) Patient’s physician
d) Medical physicist

14. The side effects of radiotherapy depend on:

a) The patient’s age
b) The area being treated
c) The type of cancer
d) All of the above

15. The most common side effects of radiotherapy include:

a) Nausea and vomiting
b) Skin irritation and fatigue
c) Increased appetite
d) Hair growth

16. Which of the following is a long-term side effect of radiotherapy?

a) Hair loss
b) Radiation-induced cancer
c) Nausea
d) Skin burns

17. In radiotherapy, the term “dose rate” refers to:

a) The total amount of radiation delivered
b) The time over which radiation is administered
c) The rate at which radiation is delivered to the tissue
d) The type of radiation used

18. A common technique used to ensure precise radiation delivery to the tumor while minimizing exposure to surrounding tissues is:

a) 3D conformal radiotherapy
b) CT-guided radiotherapy
c) Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)
d) All of the above

19. The purpose of bolus material in radiotherapy is to:

a) Increase the intensity of radiation
b) Minimize the radiation dose to the skin
c) Bring the dose closer to the skin surface
d) Remove cancerous tissues

20. Which of the following is a safety measure to protect staff from unnecessary radiation exposure during radiotherapy treatments?

a) Wearing lead aprons
b) Keeping a safe distance from the radiation source
c) Using shielding barriers
d) All of the above

21. The term “isodose curve” refers to:

a) A graph showing the radiation dose distribution across the tumor and surrounding tissues
b) A radiation measurement device
c) The calculation of the tumor size
d) The angle of radiation delivery

22. In radiotherapy, the use of contrast agents is most common in:

a) Imaging procedures like CT scans for planning radiation therapy
b) Stereotactic radiotherapy
c) Brachytherapy
d) X-ray therapy

23. Which of the following techniques is used to treat tumors that are difficult to reach using conventional radiotherapy?

a) Proton therapy
b) Brachytherapy
c) Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS)
d) Linear accelerator (LINAC)

24. The most important factor to consider when setting up a radiotherapy treatment plan is:

a) The patient’s age
b) The patient’s physical condition
c) The tumor’s size, location, and type
d) The patient’s previous treatments

25. The role of the radiotherapy technologist includes all of the following EXCEPT:

a) Operating the radiotherapy equipment
b) Administering chemotherapy
c) Preparing and positioning the patient for treatment
d) Monitoring radiation dose delivery

26. The most common type of cancer treated with radiotherapy is:

a) Leukemia
b) Brain tumors
c) Breast cancer
d) Prostate cancer

27. The term “fractionation” refers to:

a) Giving the total radiation dose in smaller daily doses over several weeks
b) The fraction of radiation that is absorbed by the body
c) Dividing the patient into separate parts during treatment
d) The fraction of healthy tissue exposed to radiation

28. Which of the following is the purpose of using lead shielding in radiotherapy?

a) To prevent patient movement during treatment
b) To reduce unnecessary radiation exposure to healthy tissues
c) To increase the radiation dose to the tumor
d) To protect the tumor from radiation

29. The concept of “treatment planning” in radiotherapy includes:

a) Calculating the correct radiation dose for the tumor
b) Ensuring proper patient positioning
c) Using imaging to locate the tumor
d) All of the above

30. In radiotherapy, what does “tumor localization” mean?

a) Positioning the tumor for surgery
b) Using imaging techniques to accurately locate the tumor for radiation treatment
c) Measuring the tumor’s size
d) Treating the tumor with external radiation

31. Proton therapy is a type of radiation therapy that uses:

a) High-energy X-rays
b) High-energy protons
c) Gamma rays
d) Beta particles

32. The main purpose of treatment verification in radiotherapy is to:

a) Confirm the patient’s identity
b) Ensure that the tumor is targeted accurately
c) Increase the radiation dose
d) Prevent side effects

33. In radiotherapy, “imaging-guided radiotherapy” (IGRT) refers to:

a) Using imaging techniques to guide radiation delivery
b) Using a contrast agent to enhance imaging
c) Analyzing the tumor’s genetics
d) Performing surgery for tumor removal

34. The primary advantage of proton therapy over conventional radiotherapy is:

a) It uses lower doses of radiation
b) It targets tumors more precisely with minimal damage to surrounding tissues
c) It is less expensive
d) It requires no specialized equipment

35. The dose of radiation that is absorbed by the tumor is called the:

a) Prescription dose
b) Total dose
c) Targeted dose
d) Therapeutic dose

36. The maximum safe radiation dose to healthy tissues surrounding the tumor is calculated using:

a) The patient’s age
b) Imaging and radiation therapy planning software
c) The tumor’s size
d) The type of cancer

37. The concept of “volumetric modulated arc therapy” (VMAT) in radiotherapy is used to:

a) Deliver radiation in a rotating manner around the tumor
b) Prevent patient movement during treatment
c) Use only X-rays for radiation delivery
d) Treat tumors using gamma rays

38. The treatment technique where a patient is treated with radiation from multiple angles to minimize exposure to normal tissues is called:

a) Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT)
b) Stereotactic radiotherapy
c) 3D conformal radiotherapy
d) Brachytherapy

39. The main advantage of stereotactic radiotherapy is:

a) It uses higher doses of radiation in fewer sessions
b) It is less effective for deep tumors
c) It requires longer treatment durations
d) It is used only for cancers in the head and neck

40. Radiotherapy can cause skin irritation; this is most commonly managed by:

a) Using topical lotions and ointments
b) Using cold compresses
c) Giving oral medications
d) Avoiding any skin contact

41. The use of a high-energy electron beam in radiotherapy is most effective in treating:

a) Deep tumors
b) Tumors near the surface of the skin
c) Blood cancers
d) Tumors located in the brain

42. The most important step in radiotherapy treatment planning is:

a) The choice of radiation dose
b) The selection of radiotherapy technique
c) Accurate tumor localization and imaging
d) Patient education

43. In radiation therapy, the term “conformal radiotherapy” refers to:

a) A treatment method that delivers a uniform radiation dose to the tumor
b) The use of multiple radiation beams to conform to the tumor’s shape
c) The use of proton therapy
d) A new drug delivery method

44. Which of the following methods is used to treat surface tumors?

a) Electron beam therapy
b) Gamma knife therapy
c) Proton therapy
d) Stereotactic radiotherapy

45. The term “CT simulation” in radiotherapy refers to:

a) Using CT scans for precise treatment planning
b) Simulating radiation delivery on a model
c) Checking the tumor’s response to radiation
d) A form of imaging therapy

46. In radiation therapy, a “boost dose” refers to:

a) A higher radiation dose given to the tumor after initial treatment
b) A reduced radiation dose to surrounding tissues
c) The first dose of radiation
d) A combination of radiation and chemotherapy

47. In radiotherapy, “palliative treatment” is used to:

a) Cure the disease
b) Shrink tumors to relieve symptoms
c) Prevent side effects
d) Increase the tumor’s resistance to radiation

48. The process of delivering radiation treatment to the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding tissues is called:

a) Radiation planning
b) Radiation protection
c) Radiation precision
d) Radiation optimization

49. Radiotherapy planning involves all of the following except:

a) Tumor localization
b) Dosimetry
c) Tumor excision
d) Treatment verification

50. The role of a radiation therapist is to:

a) Administer radiation treatments under the supervision of a radiation oncologist
b) Develop the radiotherapy treatment plan
c) Interpret radiology images
d) Perform surgery on tumors

Answer Key

These MCQs cover a broad range of topics in radiotherapy, suitable for the Diploma in Radiotherapy Technology license exam.