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Correct Answer: Posteroanterior (PA) view
Explanation:
The Posteroanterior (PA) view is the standard and most commonly used position for taking a routine adult chest X-ray.
In this view, the X-rays pass from the posterior (back) to the anterior (front) of the patient’s chest. The patient stands upright, pressing the chest against the film plate, with scapulae rotated outward by placing hands on hips and shoulders rolled forward.
Advantages of PA view:
- Produces true heart size (since the heart is closer to the film plate).
- Minimizes magnification and distortion.
- Provides clear visualization of lung fields, heart borders, diaphragm, and costophrenic angles.
This makes the PA view ideal for detecting conditions such as pneumonia, pleural effusion, cardiomegaly, and lung collapse.
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Anteroposterior (AP) view:
Used in bedridden or critically ill patients who cannot stand.
However, it magnifies the heart shadow (appears artificially enlarged) and gives less diagnostic accuracy than the PA view.
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Lateral decubitus view:
Used to detect pleural effusion or pneumothorax, not for routine imaging. The patient lies on one side for this view.
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Lateral view:
Taken in addition to the PA view to localize lesions or see behind the heart and diaphragm — not a routine standalone film.
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Apical view:
Specialized view focusing on the lung apices, often to assess tuberculosis lesions, not used for general chest evaluation.