Chest Xrays Flashcards
why would a patient need a chest x-ray
cardiac and respiratory pathologies and also for trauma
describe the positioning centring and collimation for a PA chest x-ray
patient stood wiith the antarior aspect of their chest in contact with the IR with elbows rolled forward and chin up and rested on the cassette
arrested respiration
sternoclavicular joint should be eqyudustant with the image receptor
collimation should include the 1st thoracic ribs and the lateral margines of the chest with centring being at the T8
SID 180CM
describe the positioning centring and collimation for an AP chest x-ray
patient with posterior aspect of the chest in contact with the image receptor
elbows forward, chin raised, and shoulders relaxed
collimation should include the 1st thoracic rib and the lateral margins of the chest with centring inbetween the xiphoid process and sternal notch
what is the issue with this xray
poor inspiration from the patient
evaluate this chest PA xray
diaphragm, trachea can be seen
6 anterior ribs and 9posterior ribs are demonstrated
the first rib and vertebra can be seen
sharp image demonstrating the vascularity of the lungs
lateral margins and the costophrenic angles can be seen
the apices above the clavicles shouldbe seen
what is pneumothorax
this is when the lung has collapsed due to air escaping the lung and filling the space outside of the lung putting pressure on the lung preventing normal expansion during breathing
why is the PA chest classed as gold standard
an AP chest xray will magnify heart size by 15 percent however the PA chest reduces this heart magnification meaning that if you were x raying to view the heart size, you would get an accurate measurement.
- female breast tissue is compressed against the image receptor which will help to lower the overal radiation dose to the patient
- the PA chest also demonstrates the fluid levels
