CXR

Question 1

What are the more common standard projections on CXR?

Answer 1

Postero-anterior (PA)
Antero-posterior (AP)
Lateral

Question 2

What are less common views on CXR but are possible to order?

Answer 2

Lateral decubitus
Lordotic
Ribs AP & PA
Sternum
Clavicle

Question 3

What is the standard position for adult CXR?

Answer 3

Posterior-Anterior (PA)

Question 4

Is a PA CXR usually taken during inspiration or expiration?

Answer 4

Full inspiration

Question 5

What view allows for a more accurate assessment of heart size?

Answer 5

PA CXR

Question 6

When is a anterior-posterior CXR used?

Answer 6

When patient is debilitated, immobilized, or unable to cooperate with the PA procedure

Question 7

What view allows the image reader the ability to view behind the heart (retrocardiac), chest wall (retrosternal) and diaphragmatic dome?

Answer 7

Lateral position

Question 8

A lateral CXR is typically used in conjunction with a PA-CXR view to help distinguish what?

Answer 8

Help determine 3D position of organs or abnormal densities

Question 9

Before any interpretation what first steps should be completed?

Answer 9

Start with the details (patient name, DOB, MRN, date)

Then Film Quality
1. Rotation
2. Inspiration vs. Expiration
3. Penetration

Question 10

What are the ABC’s to approaching/reading a CXR?

Answer 10

Airway
Bones
Cardiac Silhouette
Diaphragms
Effusions
Fields (lung)
Gastric bubble
Hila
Iatrogenic

Question 11

To help assess intrapulmonary abnormalities a CXR should be obtained with the patient in what cycle of breathing?

Answer 11

Full-inspiration

Question 12

At full-inspiration, diaphragm should be at what level of the ribs?

Answer 12

Level of the 8th-10th rib posteriorly or 5th-6th rib anteriorly at the mid-clavicular line