Chest X-Ray

Question 1

The focal film distance on a chest x-ray (CXR) is __”

Answer 1

72”

Question 2

Patient position on a normal CXR?

Answer 2

P-A

Question 3

On a normal PA CXR you want the patient positioned w/their ____ abducted, using ___ kVp, and taken on full INSPIRATION

Answer 3

Scapulae, 100(ish)

Question 4

Why are CXR’s taken P-A?

Answer 4

Heart and other structures are closer to the film

Question 5

A PA CXR should be collimated to ____

Answer 5

Film size

Question 6

A typical thoracic x-ray (TXR) is taken with what patient positioning?

Answer 6

A-P

Question 7

The focal film distance on an AP TXR is __” and should be collimated to ____

Answer 7

40”, 8”x17”

Question 8

The patient’s arms are at their sides on a typical AP TXR and it should be taken using approx. ___ kVp

Answer 8

80(ish)

Question 9

A lateral thoracic x-ray is taken at __” FFD and collimated to ____ using approx. 80kVp (same as AP)

Answer 9

40”, the spine

Question 10

Where are the patient’s arms on a lateral thoracic x-ray?

Answer 10

Out in front (90 degree shoulder flexion)

Question 11

A lateral chest x-ray is always taken w/the patients ___ side closest to the film

Answer 11

Left

Question 12

A lateral chest x-ray should have __” FFD, be collimated to ____ using >100kVp

Answer 12

72”, film size

Question 13

Where are the patient’s arms on a lateral chest x-ray?

Answer 13

Overhead (on top of head)

Question 14

A CXR has a very (low/high) amount of radiation

Answer 14

LOW

Question 15

The name of the special x-ray that images the lung apices? (Normally they are obscured by the clavicles)

Answer 15

Apical lordotic

Question 16

What are the two options for taking an apical lordotic x-ray?

Answer 16

1. Patient leans back (AP)

2. 20 degree cephalic tube angulation

Question 17

Name of the special x-ray where the patient is side-lying?

Answer 17

Lateral decubitus

Question 18

This type of imaging is not widely used anymore because of computed tomography and MRI. It uses motion of the X-ray tube and film to selectively blur out unwanted structures by keeping one plane in focus.

Answer 18

Conventional Tomography (not typical CT)

Question 19

FDG-PET stands for?

Answer 19

Fluorodeoxyglucose-Positron Emission Tomography

Question 20

Fluorodeoxyglucose is a radionuclide injection similar to ____ (used in bone scans), used to highlight metabolically active cells (i.e. cancer cells)

Answer 20

Technetium phosphate (99)

Question 21

Nuclear medicine scans (similar to bone scans) primarily done to disclose pulmonary emboli

Answer 21

Ventilation/Perfusion Scans

Question 22

The ventilation part is for _____, while the perfusion part is for _____

Answer 22

Airways, vasculature

Question 23

A high kVp technique results in absorption of ____ photons (more/fewer)

Answer 23

Fewer

Question 24

The disadvantage to a high kVp technique?

Answer 24

Lower image contrast (BUT on a CXR it doesn’t matter because there is excellent inherent contrast provided by the air in the lungs!)

Question 25

More photons pass through the patient (meaning less are absorbed), and there is a faster exposure time (meaning less image blurring) while using a ____ kVp technique

Answer 25

High

Question 26

High kVp = ____ contrast, low kVp = ____ contrast

Answer 26

Lower, higher (and higher dose)

Question 27

The trachea should deviate slightly to the ___ in the vicinity of the aortic arch

Answer 27

Right

Question 28

Which side main stem bronchus should be more vertical?

Answer 28

Right

Question 29

In a normal cardiac:thorax ratio, the heart should take up

Answer 29

1/2

Question 30

On a PA CXR the position of the heart should be approx. __-__ to the right of the midline

Answer 30

1/4-1/3

Question 31

On a PA CXR the ___ ribs will be “easier to see” (like the ones that pop out at you)

Answer 31

Posterior…

Question 32

The possible “shadows” above the clavicles that follow along the same line as the superior clavicle line are called _____

Answer 32

Companion shadows

Question 33

The ____ diaphragm should be 1/2 an intercostal space higher than the _____

Answer 33

Right, left

Question 34

Non-acute costophrenic angles and/or thickening of the pleural fissures would be indicative of?

Answer 34

Effusion (fluid)

Question 35

When checking the lung fields on a PA CXR the end of blood vessels would appear ____, while the end of bronchi would appear ____

Answer 35

White, black

Question 36

On a PA CXR the ___ lung hilus is slightly lower

Answer 36

Right

Question 37

The four main components of a lung hilum?

Answer 37

1. Pulmonary arteries
2. Pulmonary veins
3. Main stem bronchi
4. Lymph nodes