PA Lateral Chest Xray

what position are patients placed for radiography of the chest?

upright

why is upright the preferable position for a chest xray?

prevent engorgement of the pulmonary vessels, allow gravity to depress diaphragm, and show air/fluid levels

why is it less ideal to use a recumbent position for a chest xray

diaphragm moves superiorly and presses the thoracic viscera which prevents full expansion of the lungs

why is the left lateral chest position most commonly used for a chest xray?

it places the heart closer to the IR, meaning less magnification of the heart occurs

how many times should you ask patient to breath for a chest xray

twice

why is the xray taken on the second full inspiration?

to ensure maximum expansion of the lungs

what is the minimum SID used for a chest xray and why?

72 inches, to reduce magnification of the heart and obtain greater spatial resolution of the lung structures

why should the patient roll their shoulders for a chest xray?

to rotate the scapulae outward and laterally to reduce superimposition of the scapula with the lungs

what landmark is mainly used to line the CR to the patient’s body for a PA and lateral chest xray

T7 (inferior angle of the scapulae)

how many ribs should be shown in a properly taken PA chest xray?

10 ribs

what is the best method for achieving 10 ribs in the chest xray?

taking the xray on the 2nd full inspiration

which plane is perpendicular to the IR during a PA chest?

midsagittal

which plane is perpendicular to the IR during a lateral chest?

midcoronal

why are arms raised during a lateral chest xray?

to prevent superimposition of the upper arms, shoulders, and soft tissues over the lung fields and thoracic structures

in a good PA chest, the entire lung field from ____ to _____ is seen

apices, costophrenic angles

in a good PA chest, sternal ends of the _____ should be equidistant from the______ column

clavicles, vertebral

in a good PA chest, ____ should be projected out of lung fields

scapulae

in a good PA chest, _____ and _____ outlines are sharp

heart, diaphragm

in a good lateral chest, the _____ should be superimposed on the _____

rib posterior, vertebral column

in a good lateral chest, the ____ should be seen laterally

sternum

in a good lateral chest, the intervertebral ____and ____ should be open

disk spaces, foramina