Essential projections for a chest x-ray

Question 1

What are the essential projections for a chest X-ray?

Answer 1

posteroanterior (PA)

lateral

PA oblique

Anteroposterior (AP) oblique

AP

AP axial

Question 2

What is the patients position for a PA chest?

Answer 2

upright either standing or steated?

Question 3

What does a PA chest demonstrate?

Answer 3

air or fluid levels. it also allows the diaphragm to move to its lowest position

Question 4

Where should the top if the IR be?

Answer 4

1 1/2 inches to 2 inches above shoulders

Question 5

How is the midsagittal plane aligned with the IR?

Answer 5

centered perpendicular to the IR

Question 6

How should weight be distributed by the patient?

Answer 6

equally on both feet

Question 7

What can the patient do to remove scapula from the image?

Answer 7

flex eblows and rest back of hands on low hips

also depress shoulders into same transverse plane

Question 8

Where should the CR be located and where should it enter for a PA chest?

Answer 8

Enters at MSP and level of T7 (inferior angle of the scapula)

Question 9

What are the structures that should be shown in a PA chest?

Answer 9

air filled trachea

lungs

diaphragmatic domes

heart and aortic arch

Question 10

What is the evaluation criteria for a PA chest?

Answer 10

Entire lung fields from the apices to the costophrenic angles

Question 11

What is another evaluation criteria for a PA chest?

Answer 11

No rotation

sternal ends of the clavicles equidistant from the vertebral column

Trachea visible in the midline

Equal distance from the vertebral column to the lateral border of the ribs on each side

Question 12

What should the patients position be for a lateral chest x-ray?

Answer 12

upright, either standing or seated

Question 13

What side is the one demonstrated in the image for a lateral chest??

Answer 13

the side closest to the IR

Question 14

Why is the left lateral position used for a lateral chest x-ray?

Answer 14

to minimize the magnification of the heart

Question 15

Where should the MSP and MCP be in regards to the IR for a lateral chest x-ray?

Answer 15

the midsagittal plane should be parallel with the IR

Midcoronal plane should be perpendicular to the IR

Question 16

What is it important to extend arms over head, flex elbows, and rest forearms on head during a lateral chest x-ray?

Answer 16

To remove other body parts from the anatomy of interest

Question 17

What structures are show in the left lateral position?

Answer 17

heart
aorta
left sides pulmonary lesions

Question 18

What structures are shown in a right lateral position?

Answer 18

right sided pulmonary lesions

Question 19

What are some of the evaluation criteria for a lateral chest x-ray?

Answer 19

Arm or its soft tissues not overlapping the superior lung field

costophrenic angles and the lower apices of the lungs

no rotation

hilum in the center

superimposition of the ribs posterior to the vertebral column

sternum in profile

trachea midline