GXMO Patient Care and Positioning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When positioning a trauma patient with a suspected cervical spine injury for a lateral cervical radiograph, the technologist should:
- Remove the cervical collar before positioning
- Take the image with the collar in place and avoid moving the neck (Correct answer)
- Flex the neck to open the intervertebral spaces
- Extend the neck to demonstrate all seven vertebrae
Correct answer: Take the image with the collar in place and avoid moving the neck
In suspected cervical spine injury, the collar stays on and the neck must not be manipulated until injury is ruled out.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the correct hand placement when assisting a patient onto the x-ray table?
- Hold the patient by the wrist to guide movement
- Place one hand under the patient's arm and one behind the back for support (Correct answer)
- Grip the patient's clothing to prevent falling
- Stand behind the patient and push gently from behind
Correct answer: Place one hand under the patient's arm and one behind the back for support
Supporting under the arm and behind the back provides the most stable and safe assist when transferring a patient to the table.
Question 3: A patient reports feeling faint and short of breath immediately after lying supine on the radiographic table. The most appropriate first action is to:
- Proceed quickly with the exposure and then assist the patient
- Lower the table further to Trendelenburg position and notify the radiologist
- Sit the patient up and monitor vital signs (Correct answer)
- Administer oxygen via face mask immediately
Correct answer: Sit the patient up and monitor vital signs
Sitting the patient upright relieves orthostatic symptoms and allows the technologist to assess the patient's condition before taking further action.
Question 4: The term 'inferosuperior axial projection' is most commonly associated with radiography of the:
- Hip
- Shoulder (Correct answer)
- Knee
- Calcaneus
Correct answer: Shoulder
The inferosuperior axial projection (Clements or Lawrence method) is used for the shoulder when the patient cannot abduct the arm.
Question 5: Which of the following patient positions places the left side of the body closest to the image receptor?
- RPO
- LPO (Correct answer)
- RAO
- LAO
Correct answer: LPO
In the LPO (left posterior oblique) position, the patient's left posterior side is in contact with the image receptor.
Question 6: During a PA chest radiograph on a wheelchair-bound patient, the technologist notices the patient is slumping to one side. The best action is to:
- Proceed with the exposure to avoid further patient fatigue
- Ask the patient to sit upright and provide a rolled towel or support if needed (Correct answer)
- Use a horizontal beam lateral instead
- Reposition the patient to an AP supine projection
Correct answer: Ask the patient to sit upright and provide a rolled towel or support if needed
Ensuring the patient is as upright as possible and providing support improves diagnostic quality and patient safety.
Question 7: For a PA projection of the hand, the central ray is directed to the:
- First metacarpophalangeal joint
- Third metacarpophalangeal joint (Correct answer)
- Wrist joint
- Midpoint of the proximal phalanges
Correct answer: Third metacarpophalangeal joint
The central ray is directed perpendicular to the third (middle) metacarpophalangeal joint for the PA hand projection.
GXMO Patient Care and Positioning 2
When positioning a trauma patient with a suspected cervical spine injury for a lateral cervical radiograph, the technologist should: