My son spent 8 days in Children's w/ pneumonina last week. Doc wrote for outpatient follow-up CXR this week. I am reading the script and it says "(x) PA, L lat CXR." I know his docs were watching his RIGHT lung, however. Is the order asking for a LEFT sided pic though? Do I need to make sure to clarify? We've seen so many stupid medical mistakes in the past couple of weeks, I am now paranoid and questioning everything. Thank you!:)
2007-05-28 05:33:31 · 2 answers · asked by cirn88 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
The lateral view of the chest is done with the left side against the "bucky" (where the film is) because the heart is closer to the left side. If the right side was against the bucky, the heart would be farther from the film, causing the heart to appear magnified on the film giving a false appearance of an enlarged heart.
The doctor actually does not need to state that he wants a left lateral, as that is the way it is always done.
2007-05-28 11:57:18 · answer #1 · answered by RadTech - BAS RT(R)(ARRT) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is the standard x-ray order. PA means from the back thru to the front and the lateral means from the side. No he is not asking for the L. side of the chest to be x-rayed, this is just like the standard order.
The chest x-ray after pnemonial is normal to make sure he is healing the way he should.
2007-05-28 05:39:35 · answer #2 · answered by sweet sue 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋