t spine test ( AP and lateral)

Which of the following is true concerning the AP projection of the t spine?

• if the patient is done upright, the weight should be equally distributed on both feet

• The midsagittal plane is perpendicular to the IR

• The shoulders should be adjusted to lie in the same horizontal plane

For a supine AP t spine, what should be done with the patients legs?

The hips and knees should be flexed until the thighs are vertical

Which of the following is true concerning IR placement for both the AP and lateral t spine?

The superior edge of the cassette should be 1 and ½ inches to 2 inches above the shoulders on an average patient

Which of the following would be an acceptable respiratory phase during which to expose an AP t spine?

At the end of full expiration

Which of the following would be an acceptable respiratory phase during which to expose a left lateral t spine?

• normal breathing

• At the end of full expiration

Which of the following is true concerning the lateral t spine projection?

• the patient should be dressed in an open back gown to assess accurate positioning

• The entire spine should be placed parallel to the IR, using firm supports under the head and waist as necessary

Which of the following structures should be superimposed to prevent rotation on the lateral t spine?

• shoulders

• Hips

• Knees

true or false:

The patients hips and knees should be extended for the lateral t spine projection

False

For the lateral t spine projection, the patients arms should be placed at right angles to the _____ axis of the body to elevate the ____ enough to clear the ______

Longitudinal, ribs, intervertebral foramina

If a breathing technique is to be used on a t spine examination, what should be done to the technique?

Decrease mA, increase time

Where should you center for an AP t spine projection?

At the level of T7

Where should you center for the lateral t spine projection?

More than one, but not all of the above

On the lateral t spine projection, if the spine isn’t parallel to the IR, what should be done with the CR?

Angle it so that it’s perpendicular to the long axis of the spine

For the AP projection of the t spine, which of the following are evaluation criteria?

• the thoracic vertebrae should demonstrate a uniform density throughout the image

• Spinous processes should be visualized in the midline of the vertebral bodies

• The vertebral column should be in the center of the radiograph

• Intervertebral disk spaces should be open and visualized

Which t spine projection requires that the posterior ribs be superimposed to indicate a lack of rotation?

Lateral

Which t spine projection demonstrates the intervertebral foramina?

Lateral

For the lateral projection of the t spine, which of the following are evaluation criteria?

• all twelve thoracic vertebrae should be included, although the superior thoracic vertebrae may not be well visualized due to the superimposition of the shoulders

• The vertebral column should be in the center of the radiograph

• Intervertebral disk spaces should be open and visualized

Which t spine projection may require a swimmers projection to be done in order to see the superior thoracic vertebrae?

Lateral

Why should a sheet of lead rubber be placed posterior to the spine on the lateral projection?

• to improve visibility of detail

• To reduce scatter produced by the patient from reaching the IR

• to reduce the amount of table scatter produced

• To increase contrast

Which t spine projection demonstrates the transverse processes?

AP

Which t spine projection best demonstrates the costovertebral articulations?

AP

Where would you place the thick end of a wedge compensating filter on an AP t spine?

More than one, but not all of the above

True or false:

For a lateral t spine, the thick end of a wedge compensating filter should be placed proximally in order to balance details in the radiograph?

False

In order to utilize the anode heel effect on an AP t spine, where would you place the distal portion of the t spine?

Under the cathode

If the anode heel effect is utilized incorrectly on an AP t spine, what will your image look like?

Underexposed inferiorly, overexposed superiorly