questions about chest xrays

[cantb...@my-dejanews.com]

When a patient has a chest xray, he's always told take a deep breath and
hold...

What if the patient does that, but isn't able to generate much of a change in
the size of the lungs, for whatever reason. Is it still a good test? Can
things possibly not be visualized because the person couldn't breathe
deep/expand lungs much?

Just wondering. Thanks.

-----== Posted via Deja News, The Leader in Internet Discussion ==-----
http://www.dejanews.com/rg_mkgrp.xp Create Your Own Free Member Forum

[CVPlummer]

cantbreathe writes:
>When a patient has a chest xray, he's always told take a deep breath and
>hold...
>
>What if the patient does that, but isn't able to generate much of a change in
>the size of the lungs, for whatever reason. Is it still a good test? Can
>things possibly not be visualized because the person couldn't breathe
>deep/expand lungs much?

I always tell the patient to take in a deep breath, and watch him to make sure
he makes an effort.. If I think he/she can do better, I tell them to try best
he/she can.. When I look at the X-ray and it looks sub-optimal in regards to
inhaling air, I will write on the paper work "Patient took as deep a breath as
possible."
That way, the radiologist will know that the patient had a problem with
inhaling air and may or may not choose to make a note on his dictation..
Other than that.. if there is a mass, infiltrate, pnuemonia, or anyother gross
abnormality, that should show up on the X-ray, though, it will help if there is
enough air to provide some contrast..

-------------------------------------------------------------
CVPl...@aol.com

"Just Think... Somewhere, Someone Is Having More Fun Than You!"

[Tlcpjj]

Another way to optimize the expanded lungs is to ask the patient to take a deep
breath in, blow it all the way out, then take another deep breath in. It is
more time consuming for the tech and may be difficult if the patient is
unstable, but I find it to be very effective
paul in NC