Chest Xray Interpretation

Question 1

How to interpret a chest X-ray

Answer 1

D- details/ identification
R- (RIPE) assessing quality
A- airway, mediastinum - position of trachea, carina and mediastinum
(Soft tissue)
B- breathing and bones - lung markings, signs of a pneumothorax, fluid, consolidation. Look for fractures
C- circulation- check heat size 2/3 should be on left side of chest
D- diaphragm - concave shape, height, costaphrenic angles, gastric bubble
E- Equipment - ETT, NGT, ICC, CVC, PA catheter, PICC, pacemaker

Question 2

Indications for a chest X-ray

Answer 2

Chest pain
SOB
Low sats
Fever, cough
Chest trauma