A patient is admitted to the emergency department after being involved in a motor vehicle accident.The patient has massive chest trauma and the physician is suspicious that he has a pneumothorax,though the patient has bilateral chest movement.Where on the chest radiograph would you look to find a smaller pneumothorax?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Air will migrate preferentially to the least gravity-dependent (highest)area owing to its decreased density.Therefore,the chest radiograph should be assessed in the apex of the lung to detect a small pneumothorax.A exhalation chest radiograph is sometimes taken to detect a small pneumothorax at the apex of the lung.

A Patient Is Admitted to the Emergency Department After Being