A PA chest radiograph reveals that the pendulous breasts of the patient are obscuring the base of the lungs.What should be done to lessen the effects of the breast shadow?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Asking the patient to lift the breasts up and outward will move the breast tissue away from the lungs and decrease the amount of shadowing on the radiograph. Using a higher kV may penetrate tissue better, but it will not necessarily move the breast tissue out of the way. Taking a deeper inspiration before exposure may help visualize more lung tissue, but it will not remove the breast shadow. Taking an AP projection instead of a PA will increase the amount of breast tissue on the radiograph and worsen the problem.

A PA Chest Radiograph Reveals That the Pendulous Breasts of the Patient