4-Apr Chest X-Ray

 

Chest X-Ray

• X-rays are a form of invisible electromagnetic radiation that penetrates the body and produces an image on the X-ray film.
• It includes the examination of the lungs, heart, and small portions of the GI tract, thyroid gland, and chest bones.
• It helps determine whether a patient has heart or lung problems and detects rib fractures.
• It reveals fluid in the lungs and shows enlargement of the heart.

Principles:

• Chest X-ray is painless, quick, and relatively inexpensive.
• It should be ordered for complaints of persistent cough, injuries involving the chest, or complaints of chest pain or difficulty in breathing.

Scope:

• Chest X-ray can be used to visualize the following structures:
  • Changes or abnormalities of the lungs, such as pulmonary edema, carcinoma, or lung infections.
  • Changes in the shape and size of the heart.
  • Pleural effusion, pneumothorax, or damage to heart valves.

Procedure:

• Routine chest X-ray consists of frontal and lateral views.
• Preparation involves replacing all upper body clothing with a hospital gown, tying back long hair, and removing jewelry.
• During the acute procedure, the patient should hold still for a few seconds to avoid motion that could affect the quality of the X-ray film.
• In the case of bedridden patients, chest X-rays must be taken.

Risk Factors:

• The only risk associated with X-rays is minimal radiation exposure.
• Pregnant women should use a protective apron to cover the rest of the body during X-ray procedures.