Thorax and Abdomen Procedures Flashcards

When performing an AP projection of the chest on a supine trauma patient, how should the IR be positioned relative to the patient?

Answer: Perpendicular to the long axis, centered at T7

For a supine AP chest, the IR is centered at T7 with the central ray perpendicular to the IR to minimize distortion of the mediastinal structures.

A patient with suspected right middle lobe pneumonia would be best evaluated with which additional view beyond the standard PA and lateral chest?

Answer: Right anterior oblique

The right anterior oblique (RAO) rotates the right lung forward, separating the middle lobe from overlapping structures and improving its visualization.

The AP axial (lordotic) projection of the chest is obtained by angling the central ray how many degrees cephalad when the patient stands upright?

Answer: 15–20°

A 15–20° cephalad angle (or equivalent patient lean-back) projects the clavicles above the lung apices, revealing the apical lung zones.

For an upper GI series, which position places the duodenal bulb in profile and best demonstrates a posterior duodenal ulcer?

Answer: Right lateral

The right lateral position places the duodenal bulb in a true lateral projection, profiling the anterior and posterior walls to demonstrate posterior ulcers.

On an AP abdomen (KUB) radiograph, which organ's shadow is normally visible in the right upper quadrant?

Answer: Liver (hepatic shadow)

The hepatic shadow (liver) is routinely visible as a homogeneous soft-tissue density occupying the right upper quadrant on an AP abdomen.

A chest radiograph shows the trachea deviated to the left. Which condition is most likely responsible if the mediastinum is also shifted left?

Answer: Left upper lobe collapse/atelectasis

Left upper lobe collapse causes volume loss on the left, pulling the trachea and mediastinum toward the affected (left) side due to negative pressure.

What SID (source-to-image distance) is standard for PA chest radiography to minimize cardiac magnification?

Answer: 72 inches (183 cm)

A 72-inch SID is standard for PA chest radiographs; the increased distance reduces magnification of the heart and other thoracic structures.