Radiography Exam Patient Positioning & Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which projection of the chest is considered the standard for routine chest radiography?
- AP supine
- PA erect (Correct answer)
- Lateral decubitus
- AP erect
Correct answer: PA erect
The PA erect projection is standard for chest radiography because it minimizes heart magnification and allows full lung expansion.
Question 2: When positioning a patient for a lateral projection of the lumbar spine, which anatomical landmark is centered to the image receptor?
- Iliac crest
- Xiphoid process
- L3 vertebra (iliac crest level) (Correct answer)
- ASIS
Correct answer: L3 vertebra (iliac crest level)
For a lateral lumbar spine, the central ray is directed to L3, which corresponds approximately to the level of the iliac crest.
Question 3: What degree of obliquity is used for an AP oblique projection of the lumbar spine (RPO/LPO) to visualize the zygapophyseal joints?
- 15–20 degrees
- 30–35 degrees
- 45 degrees (Correct answer)
- 60 degrees
Correct answer: 45 degrees
A 45-degree oblique angle is used for AP oblique lumbar spine projections to place the zygapophyseal joints perpendicular to the beam.
Question 4: For an AP projection of the knee, the central ray is directed to which landmark?
- Mid-patella
- Femoral condyles
- 0.5 inch (1 cm) below the patellar apex (Correct answer)
- Tibial tuberosity
Correct answer: 0.5 inch (1 cm) below the patellar apex
The central ray for an AP knee is directed to the knee joint, approximately 0.5 inch below the patellar apex.
Question 5: Which position requires the patient to lie on their side with the x-ray beam directed horizontally?
- Trendelenburg
- Lateral decubitus (Correct answer)
- Fowler's position
- Sims position
Correct answer: Lateral decubitus
The lateral decubitus position has the patient lying on their side with a horizontal beam, useful for detecting air-fluid levels.
Question 6: For a PA projection of the hand, which surface of the hand is placed against the image receptor?
- Dorsal (posterior) surface
- Palmar (anterior) surface (Correct answer)
- Lateral surface
- Medial surface
Correct answer: Palmar (anterior) surface
In a PA hand projection, the palmar surface is placed against the IR, placing the dorsum of the hand closest to the x-ray tube.
Radiography Exam Patient Positioning & Procedures 1
Which projection of the chest is considered the standard for routine chest radiography?