Imaging

Question 1

Colour air appears on a CXR

Answer 1

Black

Question 2

Colour that soft tissue/ muscle appears on a CXR

Answer 2

Grey/white

Question 3

What shows up grey on a CXR

Answer 3

Fat

Question 4

What shows up white on a CXR

Answer 4

Bone

Question 5

What colour does metal appear on a CXR

Answer 5

Bright white

Question 6

What are the relative CT densities of:
Air
Lungs 
Fat
Water

Answer 6

AIR -1000
LUNGS - 500
FAT - 100
WATER 0

Question 7

What are the relative CT densities of:
Muscle
Bone
Contrast
Metal

Answer 7

MUSCLE + 50
BONE + 200
CONTRAST + 500
METAL + 1000

Question 8

In an ultrasound, what allows the passage of sound waves and what colour does it appear (2)

Answer 8

Fluid- appears black

Soft tissue- appears bright

Question 9

In an ultrasound, what blocks the passage of sound waves and what colour does it appear?

Answer 9

Air- appears as shadow

Bone- appears as shadow

Question 10

Why are the shoulders braced forward during a CXR?

Answer 10

So the scapulae do not obscure the lungs

Question 11

What direction does a CXR pass from?

Answer 11

From posterior to anterior producing a PA radiograph

Question 12

What level inspiration/expiration is a CXR taken at?

Answer 12

Full inspiration

Question 13

What are the disadvantages of having to take an AP radiograph when the patient is acutely unwell?

Answer 13

Can be difficult for the patient to take an adequate inspiration
The heart shadow is magnified so heart size cannot be assessed accurately
The scapulae overlie and partly obscure the lungs

Question 14

What criteria must a CXR meet for it to be technically accurate?

Answer 14

Inspiration
Rotation
Penetration (enough radiation)

Question 15

How you can tell if a CXR is adequately inspired?

Answer 15

The anterior ends of at least 6 ribs should be visible

Question 16

How can you tell if a CXR is correctly centered?

Answer 16

The medial ends of the clavicles should be equidistant from the spinous processes of the upper thoracic vertebrae

Question 17

Mediastinal borders (8)

Answer 17

Aorta
Pulmonary artery
Left auricle
Left ventricle
Right atrium
Trachea
Hemidiaphragm (right)
Stomach bubble
Horizontal fissure

Question 18

Where is the disease if the left heart border is obscured?

Answer 18

Lingula

Question 19

Where is the disease if the right heart border is obscured?

Answer 19

Middle lobe

Question 20

Where is the disease if the right hemidiaphragm is obscured?

Answer 20

Right lower lobe

Question 21

Lobar collapse

Answer 21

Occurs as a result of obstruction of a lobar bronchus e.g. by tumours, aspirated foodstuffs, mucus impaction
The lobe supplied by an obstructed bronchus is no longer ventilated

Question 22

Pleural effusion

Answer 22

Pleural cavity filled with fluid

Question 23

Pneumothroax

Answer 23

Follows spontaneous rupture of visceral pleura allowing air to rush in from the lungs

Question 24

Iatrogenic pneumothorax

Answer 24

Pneumothorax due to complications of a medical prodcedure

Question 25

Tension pneumothorax

Answer 25

If the pneumothorax accumulates large amounts of air, it will squash the lungs so that the patient cannot ventilate them

Question 26

Examples of lines/tubes

Answer 26

Nasogastric tube
Endotracheal tube
Central venous lines