Final answer:
During the interscan delay of a CT scan, the table position may be incremented, the tube continues to rotate in the same direction, and the tube assembly may complete a 360-degree rotation.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the interscan delay of a conventional or serial CT scan performed on a continuous rotation scanner, multiple events can occur. The table position may be incremented to advance the patient through the scanner for the next slice. Meanwhile, the tube typically continues to rotate in the same direction as it did during the scanning phase. This continued rotation allows the scanner to maintain momentum and be ready for the next scan sequence without needing to stop and reverse direction. Additionally, depending on the specific protocol and equipment, the tube assembly might complete a full 360-degree rotation around the patient during this interscan period as it prepares for the subsequent slice acquisition. It is through the collection of these rotational X-ray images at different angles that a computer can analyze the varying absorption levels to construct detailed two-dimensional slices, which can then be further processed to provide three-dimensional representations of the patient's internal structures.