Chest X-Rays (Cornelius) Exam 1 Flashcards
In the U.S., CXR is routinely obtained for hospitalized adults. In other countries, due to cost, providers rely on physical examination. Physical examination has inherent limitations and difficulty identifying lesions in the following structures:
Select 3
a) pleural space
b) mediastinum
c) diaphragm
d) interstitium
e) middle of lung
f) trachea
g) center of lung
b) mediastinum,
d) interstitium
g) center of lung
Slide 3
What pathologies can be present even with a normal chest X-ray?
a) pleura, diaphragm, and bronchi
b) interstitial, airway, and pulmonary vascular systems
c) pulmonary vascular systems, intersitial, and ribs
d) airway, diaphragm, and pleural space
b) interstitial, airway, and pulmonary vascular systems
Interstitial, airway and pulmonary vascular disease in certain cases cannot be recognized by chest x-ray while it is easily evident on physical exam, e.g. asthmatics
Slide 3
True or False
Physical exam in general is good for acute illness, while chest x-ray is better for chronic illness markers.
True
Physical exam and chest x-ray provide compliment
Slide 3
Overexposure will cause a film to be too _______.
a) Light
b) Blurry
c) Dark
d) Grainy
c) Dark
Slide 4
Which structures are well seen on an overexposed chest X-ray? (Select 4)
a) Thoracic spine
b) Mediastinal structures
c) Retrocardiac areas
d) Small lung nodules
e) Fine lung structures
f) Ribs
g) Diaphragm
a) Thoracic spine
b) Mediastinal structures
c) Retrocardiac areas
f) Ribs
Slide 4
Which structures are difficult to see on an overexposed chest X-ray? (Select 2)
a) Small nodules
b) Ribs
c) Thoracic spine
d) Mediastinal structures
e) Fine lung structures
a) Small nodules
e) Fine lung structures
Slide 4
Underexposure will cause a film to be too _______.
a) Bright
b) Blurry
c) Dark
d) Grainy
a) Bright - White
Slide 4
Which structures are well seen on an underexposed chest X-ray?
a) Small pulmonary blood vessels
b) Thoracic spine
c) Mediastinal structures
d) Retrocardiac areas
a) Small pulmonary blood vessels
* Small pulmonary blood vessels will appear prominent and may lead you to think that there are generalized infiltrates when none is really present.
Slide 4
How does breast tissue or excessive body fat affect a chest X-ray image?
a) It causes overexposure of the entire image.
b) It causes underexposure of the tissue in the path
c) It enhances the exposure of the tissue in the path
d) It has no effect on the quality of the image.
Correct Answer: b) It causes underexposure of the tissue in the path of the X-ray beam.
Breast tissue and large amounts of fat tissue can absorb X-ray beams which causes underexposure of the tissue in the path.
Male/Female - Depends on body habitus and positioning
Hard to look under the diaphragm
Slide 4
How are chest X-rays on outpatient or ambulatory patients routinely performed while standing?
a) AP projection (anterior to posterior)
b) PA projection (posterior to anterior)
c) Lateral projection
d) Supine position
b) PA projection (posterior to anterior)
- Patient’s chest is up and against the firm holder.
- The X-ray passes from the back and exits in front to the chest.
silde 5
If the patient is lying down, what will be the typical orientation of the X-ray projection?
a) PA Projection (posterior to anterior)
b) Lateral Projection
c) AP Projection (anterior to posterior)
d) Oblique Projection
c) AP Projection (anterior to posterior)
Portable X-ray
Slide 5
For interpretative purposes, what is the main difference between an AP and PA chest X-ray projection?
a) The heart will appear smaller on an AP projection.
b) The heart will be magnified on an AP projection.
c) The lungs will appear clearer on an AP projection.
d) The diaphragm will be higher on a PA projection.
b) The heart will be magnified on an AP projection.
- The X-ray beam diverges/spreads out as it goes farther from the X-ray tube.
- A patient lying down is unable to take a full inspiration; the liver and abdominal contents are pushing up on the lungs and heart, and the result is that the pulmonary vessels are crowded and make the heart appear large.
- Prefered to have the patient in the seated position if they can’t stand
Slide 5
Why do X-ray technicians instruct patients to take a deep breath and hold it before capturing a chest X-ray?
a) To inflate the patient like a balloon for better contrast.
b) To increase lung density for better visualization.
c) To see if the patient can hold their breath longer than the technician.
d) To allow for the spreading of the pulmonary vessels and clearer visualization.
d) Inspiration allows for the spreading of the pulmonary vessels and clearer visualization.
Slide 5
Why is an upright chest X-ray preferred over a supine chest X-ray? (Select 2)
a) Patients can achieve a greater inspiration.
b) The diaphragm appears lower.
c) Lung markings are better visualized.
d) Pleural effusions are less noticeable.
e) The lungs appear more compressed.
a) Patients can achieve a greater inspiration.
c) Lung markings are better visualized.
A pleural effusion will been seen better since it will run into the normally deep costophrenic angle due to gravity.
Slide 5
True or False
The quality of the image is dependent on a good x-ray tech
True
Don’t let them rush, watch them and give them guidance to get a better image
slide 6
When standing, most adults can take an inspiration that brings the domes of the hemidiaphragm down to which rib number?
a) Rib 6
b) Rib 8
c) Rib 10
d) Rib 12
c) Rib 10
Slide 6
When seated, most adults can take an inspiration that brings the domes of the hemidiaphragm to which rib number?
a) Rib 6 to Rib 8
b) Rib 7 to Rib 9
c) Rib 8 to Rib 10
d) Rib 9 to Rib 11
c) Anywhere from Rib 8 to Rib 10
slide 6
If the lungs are hypoinflated, the diaphragm on a chest X-ray will typically be seen at which rib level?
a) Rib 5
b) Rib 6
c) Rib 7
d) Rib 8
c) Rib 7
Slide 6
When doing a quick scan at a CXR, we start at the area of least importance to most importance. What will this order be?
- Abdomen (first) - free fluid, abdominal distention, gastric bubble (puking)
- Thorax
- Mediastinum - great vessels and heart
- Individual Lungs
- Bilateral Lung (last)
ATMIB
“Always Think More In Breath.”
Slide 7
While scanning in a back and forth pattern what will you be looking for in an abdomen xray?
a) Liver shadow and spleen
b) Gastric bubble and esophagus
c) Diaphragmatic outlines and psoas muscles
d) Gastric bubble and hemidiaphragms
d) Gastric bubble and hemidiaphragms
Google: A hemidiaphragm is half of the diaphragm, each with its own apex, or cupula. The right hemidiaphragm is usually higher than the left and is protected by the liver, making it stronger. The left hemidiaphragm is more likely to rupture or herniate than the right.
slide 10
True or False
A gastric bubble is a normal finding on a CXR and should be below the hemidiaphragm.
True
A gastric bubble is a normal finding on a CXR and should be below the hemidiaphragm.
Google:A gastric bubble is a round, radiolucent area on a chest x-ray that’s usually located under the left hemidiaphragm and represents gas in the stomach
Slide 10
What does the deep sulcus sign on a chest X-ray indicate?
a) Pleural effusion
b) Atelectasis
c) Pneumothorax
d) Pulmonary edema
c) Pneumothorax
Due to the collection of air in the pleural space pushing down on the lung, causing the hemidiaphragm to appear lower and the lateral costophrenic sulcus to appear more pronounced than normal.
Slide 10
Pattern of how you will scan the thorax of a CXR? (pic)
Slide 12
When scanning the thorax on a chest X-ray, which of the following structures should be evaluated for continuity and malformation, such as fractures? Select 3
a) Spine
b) Ribs
c) Jaw
d) Clavicles
e) Scapula
f) Mediastinum
Bony structures
b) Ribs - small can be hard to detect (better on CT). Likely to have more than 1 fracture, so look for the other one
d) Clavicles
e) Scapula
Slide 13