8.1 The Chest Xray Flashcards
What is a radiograph?
A digital image or photo of the internal composition of the body, produced by x-rays.
What type of projection is the convention?
Posterior to anterior projection
When is anterior to posterior projection used?
Patient cannot stand up
Why is AP projection not as accurate?
Heart will be enlarged
Lungs are less expanded
In a chest xray what need to be included?
1st rib
Lateral margin of ribs
Costophrenic angle
How can you tell if a patient is sitting straight in an x-ray?
Spinous process should line up between clavicles
How can you tell if the lungs have been overfilled on an x-ray?
Diaphragm will look flat
How can you tell if inspiration is incomplete on an x-ray?
Increased lung markings
Heart will be enlarged
What is the ideal filling of the lungs for an x-ray?
So the 5th to 7th ribs are at the midclavicular line
What is penetration on an x-ray?
The level to which the x-rays have passed through the body
How can you tell if the x-rays have penetrated well enough?
Vertebrae are just visible
Complete left hemidiaphragm visible
What is an artefact?
External material which obstructs view of the chest eg. hair, buttons, pacemakers
What is a mediastinal shift?
Trachea deviates
When might the trachea move towards the problem?
Decreased volume or pressure- lung collapse
When might the trachea move away from the problem?
Increased volume or pressure- pleural effusion
