CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What is a common positioning error when performing a lateral chest radiograph?

1. Incorrect collimation

2. Patient rotation

3. Poor centering

4. Insufficient inspiration

The correct answer is: Patient rotation

When performing a lateral chest radiograph, a common positioning error that often arises is patient rotation. For a lateral view, it is crucial that the patient is positioned so that the midcoronal plane is perpendicular to the imaging receptor. If the patient is rotated, even slightly, it can lead to distortion of anatomical structures and can impact the quality of the image. This distortion can obscure important details, making it difficult to accurately assess the lungs and mediastinum. An accurate lateral chest radiograph should show the heart and lung fields without overlap; any rotation can alter the true representation of these structures. While issues like incorrect collimation, poor centering, and insufficient inspiration can also affect the quality of the image, patient rotation is one of the most common positioning concerns that significantly impacts the integrity and diagnostic value of a lateral chest radiograph.