Image Evaluation Criteria Flashcards
How much of the lungs should be shown on a Chest xray?
Entire lungs from the apices to the costophrenic angles
Is there any rotation on any CXR? If there is, which ones?
Only PA/AP Oblique projections
Where should the CR enter on a PA chest?
Should enter at the level of T7 (inferior angle of the scapula)
Are air-fluid levels seen on a AP or PA Chest?
Yes
Where should you adjust the height of the IR on a PA Chest?
the upper border is about 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5cm) above the relaxed shoulders
Where should you center the midsagittal plane of the pt body to the IR?
MSP is centered midline of the IR
On a PA Chest, the head should be adjusted so that the MSP is _______
vertical
When positioning a pt in a PA Chest, what should be avoided in the image, and part of the purpose in doing this position.
Engorgement of the pulmonary vessels
What should the pt do with their arms in a PA
Chest?
Elbows should be flexed, the back of the hands should be low on the hips below the costophrenic angles
What should the pt do with their shoulders in a PA Chest?
Depress the shoulders and adjust to lie in the same transverse plane. Rotate the shoulders forward so that they both touch the vertical grid device.
In a PA Chest, why do we move the arms in a specific position? What does this do and show in our images?
These movements will position the clavicles below the apices of the lungs
In a PA Chest, why do we move the shoulders forward?
This movement will rotate the scapulae outward and laterally to reduce superimposition of the scapulae with the lungs
In a PA Chest, what would happen if we take an image of a female pt with large breasts? What can we do to correct the image and make it look better?
A female pt with large breasts can superimpose the lower part of the lung field, especially the costophrenic angles.
We should ask the pt to pull the breasts upward and laterally that way be can see the anatomy better but also show if there is any presence of fluid.
In a PA Chest, should there be a full inspiration or expiration? Why is this important?
Exposure is made after the second full inspiration to ensure the maximum expansion of the lungs (shows all of the lungs). Sometimes certain conditions are made present at the end of the full inspiration/expiration.
In a PA Chest, what happens with the lungs when there is maximum expansion?
The lungs expand transversely, anteroposteriorly, and vertically, with the vertical being the greatest dimension.
What should be clearly seen on a PA Chest?
Entire lungs, no rotation, sternal ends of the clavicles equidistant from the vertebral column, trachea visible in the midline, equal distance from the vertebral column to the lateral border of the ribs on each side, proper anterior shoulder rotation - scapula projected outside the lung fields, proper inspiration demonstrated by 10 posterior ribs visible above diaphragm, sharp outlines of heart and diaphragm, faint shadows of ribs and thoracic vertebrae through heart shadow, and pulmonary markings from hilar regions
For a PA & Lateral Chest, what ways can you have the pt positioned?
They can be upright standing (recommended) or upright seated
This could be taken laying down but does not show air-fluid levels and the diaphragm at its lowest position that well
In a Lateral Chest, adjust the position of the pt so that the MSP of the body is ________ with the IR and the adjacent shoulder is touching the grid device.
Parallel
The MCP should be ___________ and ________ to the midline of the grid.
MCP should be perpendicular and centered
What should the pt do with their arms in a Lateral Chest?
The pt should extend their arms directly upward, flex the elbows and with the forearms resting on the head and have them hold that position for the image
In a Lateral Chest, where should you adjust the height of the IR?
Adjust the height of the IR so that the upper border is about 1.5 to 2 inches (3.8 to 5cm) above the shoulders
The MSP must be _______ for the lateral chest projection.
Vertical
In a lateral chest, having the pt lean against the the grid device results in ________ of all thoracic structures.
distortion (foreshortening)
In the lateral chest projection, besides the pt leaning against the grid, what else could the pt do that can result in distortion of structural outlines?
Forward bending