CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

When performing a portable Chest X-Ray on a kyphotic patient, how should the CR be adjusted?

1. Angle slightly less or leave tube perpendicular to the patient

2. Angle the tube to 30 degrees from horizontal

3. Leave the tube parallel to the floor

4. Angle the tube to 45 degrees from vertical

The correct answer is: Angle slightly less or leave tube perpendicular to the patient

For a portable chest X-ray on a kyphotic patient, it is essential to ensure that the central ray (CR) is appropriately aligned to obtain a clear and diagnostic image. Kyphosis can cause an increase in the curvature of the thoracic spine, which may alter the typical positioning of the patient and how the X-ray beam interacts with the anatomy. By angling the CR slightly less or leaving the tube perpendicular to the patient, the technologist can effectively compensate for the curvature of the spine. This positioning helps to open up lung fields and minimize distortion or superimposition of structures, allowing for a more accurate representation of the thoracic cavity, including the lungs and heart. This approach also enhances the visualization of potential pathologies that may be obscured when the X-ray beam is not optimally aligned. In contrast, other angling options that suggest a significant deviation from the standard perpendicular angle could lead to distortion in the anatomy or compromised diagnostic quality. Therefore, maintaining or slightly adjusting the perpendicular positioning of the CR provides the best technique for imaging kyphotic patients.