chest x-rays Flashcards
how do bones/fluid appear on an x-ray and why?
white bc they absorb the x ray
how do soft tissue/heart/lungs appear on an x-ray and why?
darker
x-rays pass through it
what are the 5 shades of grey seen on an x-ray and what structure causes them?
black - air dark grey - fat light grey - soft tissue white - bone/fluid bright white - metal
why do we use x-rays?
to identify; chest pathology, abdominal pathology, foreign objects and to confirm proper placement of devices and lines
how should you always start an x-ray?
checking patient details, date and time and any previous imaging
what 4 things should be checked on an x-ray?
Rotation Inspiration Projection Exposure RIPE
how is rotation checked on an x-ray?
Check clavicles are equidistant –> shows that patient is in the right position and they aren’t hunched over
how should inspiration be checked on an x-ray?
10th rib is visible on full inspiration
what is the normal view of an x-ray?
PA - film is in front of the patient
what is PA used over AP?
reduces magnification of heart
reduces radiation dose to radiation sensitive organs
moves scapula away from lung field
reduces patient movement and stabilises them
clearer image of spine and posterior ribs
how do you know if an x-ray is over penetrated?
everything goes black bc it’s been exposed to the x-ray for too long
how should an x-ray image be interpreted after everything has been checked?
Airway Breathing Circulation Diaphragm Everything else
how should the airway be checked on an x-ray?
trachea, bronchi should be visible and branch at the carina
trachea should pass to the right of the aorta
what causes the trachea to be pushed to the side?
increase in volume/pressure in one hemithorax
a mass
tension pneumothorax
what causes the trachea to be pulled to the side?
loss of volume/pressure in one hemithorax
caused by collapse or consolidation
