Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant (NRCMA) (NAHP) Practice Exam

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The most common positions for chest x-rays are?

  1. Supine and upright

  2. Oblique and axial

  3. PA and lateral

  4. AP and decubitus

The correct answer is: PA and lateral

Chest x-rays are typically taken in the positions of PA and lateral. This is because the PA (posteroanterior) view shows the heart and lungs better and the lateral view can show any abnormalities in the side of the chest. The other options, while also used for certain X-ray procedures, are not commonly used for chest X-rays. The supine position (lying face up) can be used for a chest X-ray if the patient is unable to stand, while the upright position (standing) can be used to see any abnormalities in the diaphragm. The oblique position (turned at an angle) and axial position (angled view from above or below) are used for more specific views of certain structures, but not typically for a general chest X-ray. The AP (anteroposterior) view is rarely used for chest X-rays anymore due to the increased radiation exposure to