Which best defines a nondiagnostic image?

• A. An image that cannot be interpreted due to poor quality
• B. An image with perfect resolution
• C. An image that is unreadable due to patient motion
• D. An image with incorrect patient ID

Answer: (A)

Nondiagnostic means the image cannot be interpreted because the technical quality is too poor to visualize the necessary anatomy or pathology. That exactly matches an image described as unable to be interpreted due to poor quality. A perfectly resolved image is diagnostic, providing enough detail for interpretation. An image degraded by motion is a common cause of nondiagnostic results, but it’s a specific reason rather than the general definition. An incorrect patient ID is an administrative issue that can affect record-keeping, not the image’s inherent diagnostic quality.