The Respiratory Therapist Is Reviewing the Electronic Medical Record of a Patient

The respiratory therapist is reviewing the electronic medical record of a patient in the medical ICU. In reading the most recent chest radiograph interpretation, the therapist notes that the cardiothoracic ratio is stated to be less than 1:2 on the PA view. How should the therapist interpret this information?

A) This is a normal cardiothoracic ratio.
B) This is a decreased cardiothoracic ratio.
C) This ratio shows hyperinflation of the lung fields with subsequent air trapping.
D) This interpretation should be ignored because it is inaccurate in the PA view.