A PA chest projection with poor positioning demonstrates vertical clavicles and the manubrium at the same level as the fifth thoracic vertebra. How was the patient positioned for such an image to be obtained?
A) The shoulders and elbows were not internally rotated.
B) The shoulders were elevated.
C) The patient's upper midcoronal plane was tilted toward the IR.
D) The central ray was angled caudally.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a PA chest projection, the patient's upper midcoronal plane should be perpendicular to the image receptor, and the shoulders and elbows should be rotated internally to move the scapulae laterally. If the upper midcoronal plane is tilted toward the IR, it can cause the clavicles to appear more vertical and the manubrium to be at the same level as the fifth thoracic vertebra. The other choices (A, B, and D) do not directly affect the positioning seen in the image.

A PA Chest Projection with Poor Positioning Demonstrates Vertical Clavicles