Radiology: CXR

Question 1

Recall the mnemonic for and the elements to comment on when describing the quality of a CXR film

Answer 1

RIPE: rotation, inspiratory effort, position, exposure

Question 2

How do you assess rotation on a CXR?

Answer 2

Compare the position of the clavicles and spinous processes

Question 3

What 2 things might you identify on a CXR to show there was a poor inspiratory effort

Answer 3

Shadowing at the lung bases

Low clavicles

Question 4

What is there to comment on on the position of a CXR?

Answer 4

AP or PA

Question 5

How can you tell if there is sufficient exposure on a CXR?

Answer 5

Need to be able to see the spinous processes

Question 6

Recall the 6 steps of the approach to describing a CXR

Answer 6

1. Type (AP/PA)
2. Pt details
3. Adequacy of film (RIPE)
4. Describe obvious abnormalities
5. ABCDE description (airways, breathing, CARDIAC, DIAPHRAGM, everything else)
6. Describe lucency/ opacity - are there any patterns of shadowing?|