Question 1

Your patient has a long smoking history and has recently coughed up blood. The physician suspects that there may be lung cancer but no lesions can be seen on a standard chest radiograph. A CT scan offers all of the following advantages EXCEPT:

A) bronchial tumors can be seen.
B)lung tumors as small as 0.4 cm can be seen.
C)a tumor's metabolism can be identified.
D)a mediastinal mass can be seen.

Accepted Answer

A CT scan can identify bronchial tumors, small lung tumors (as small as 0.4 cm), and mediastinal masses. However, it does not have the ability to identify a tumor's metabolism. This is usually done through a PET scan.

Question 2

The heart shadow on a chest radiograph will show up larger than normal on:&#10;A) an AP film.&#10;B)a PA film.&#10;C)a left lateral film.&#10;D)a computed tomography (CT) scan.

Accepted Answer

An AP (anteroposterior) film can make the heart appear larger because the heart is further from the film plate, causing magnification.

Question 3

Which of the following are steps used in the evaluation of a chest radiograph?
1) Evaluation of the bony structures
2) Evaluation of exposure quality
3) Evaluation of the heart shadow
4) Evaluation of the tracheobronchial tree

A)4
B)1, 4
C)1, 2, 4
D)1, 2, 3, 4

1, 2, 3, 4

Accepted Answer

All listed steps are part of a comprehensive evaluation of a chest radiograph, including bony structures, exposure quality, heart shadow, and tracheobronchial tree.

Question 4

For most chest x-ray studies, what is usually done?&#10;A) There is a full exhalation.&#10;B)There is a full inspiration.&#10;C)Separate inspiratory and expiratory films are taken.&#10;D)The patient is told to pant to provide a middle lung volume.

Accepted Answer

For most chest x-ray studies, a full inspiration is usually done. This allows for maximal visualization of the lung fields and diaphragm.

Question 5

Which of the following would be normal findings of the heart and surrounding area?
1) The left hilum is about 2 cm higher than the right hilum.
2) Most of the heart shadow is to the right of the sternum.
3) Calcified lymph nodes indicate an adult patient.
4) The cardiothoracic ratio is less than 1:2.

A)1, 4
B)2, 3
C)1, 2, 4
D)1, 2, 3, 4

Accepted Answer

1) The left hilum should be higher than the right hilum due to the placement of the heart.
2) Most of the heart shadow should be to the left of the sternum, not the right.
3) Calcified lymph nodes can indicate an adult patient, but it is not a normal finding of the heart and surrounding area.
4) The cardiothoracic ratio should be less than 1:2, indicating that the heart is not enlarged.

Question 6

The chest radiograph shows blunting of the patient's costophrenic angles. What does this suggest?&#10;A) The patient did not take a deep enough breath.&#10;B)Lung cancer&#10;C)Pleural fluid&#10;D)Underpenetrated exposure on the film

Accepted Answer

Blunting of the costophrenic angles on a chest radiograph is a classic sign of pleural fluid accumulation. This may be due to various causes including infection, cancer, or congestive heart failure. It is important to follow up with further imaging or diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause.

Question 7

Your patient has had a ventilation-perfusion scan. What would be identified from the ventilation scan?&#10;A) Location of a lung abscess&#10;B)Alveolar consolidation&#10;C)Location of a pulmonary embolism&#10;D)Location of an airway obstruction

Accepted Answer

The answer of Your patient has had a ventilation-perfusion scan....

Question 8

Which of the following can be identified by pulmonary angiography?
1) Pulmonary emboli
2) Coronary artery occlusions
3) Arteriovenous malformations
4) Cause of hemoptysis

A)4
B)1, 3
C)2, 3, 4
D)1, 2, 3, 4

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary angiography is a diagnostic test that involves injecting contrast into the pulmonary arterial system followed by imaging to visualize the blood vessels in the lung. It is primarily used to diagnose pulmonary emboli, which are blood clots that block blood flow in the pulmonary arteries. It can also be used to identify arteriovenous malformations, which are abnormal connections between arteries and veins in the lung that can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath or coughing up blood. However, it is not typically used to identify coronary artery occlusions, which are blockages in the blood vessels supplying the heart, or to determine the cause of hemoptysis, which is coughing up blood from the lungs or airways.

Question 9

Which of the following is true of a chest radiograph?&#10;A) Lateral films are shot through one side of an upright patient.&#10;B)AP films are typically taken in the x-ray department.&#10;C)PA films artificially increase the size of the heart shadow.&#10;D)Lateral decubitus films are shot with the patient lying supine.

Accepted Answer

Lateral films are indeed shot through one side of an upright patient, providing a side view of the chest which is essential for a comprehensive assessment of the thoracic structures.

Question 10

A PET/CT scan can provide all of the following:
1) Early detection of cancer metastasis
2) Accurate staging of cancer
3) Radiation treatment of the cancer
4) Activation of chemotherapy drugs within the tumor

A)1, 2
B)3, 4
C)1, 2, 3
D)1, 2, 3, 4

Accepted Answer

A PET/CT scan is used for early detection of cancer metastasis and accurate staging of cancer, but it does not provide treatment like radiation or activation of chemotherapy drugs.

Deck 7: Radiologic Examination of the Chest