RADIOGRAPHIC POSITIONING AND
RELATED ANATOMY
11TH EDITION
• Author(S)John P. Lampignano
TEST BANK
Reference
Ch. 1 — PART ONE Terminology and Positioning — Positioning
Terminology
Question Stem
A supine trauma patient requires a portable chest radiograph.
Which positioning term correctly describes the image obtained
when the CR enters the anterior chest and exits the posterior
chest while the patient remains lying supine on the stretcher?
Options
A. AP (anteroposterior) projection
B. PA (posteroanterior) projection
C. Lateral projection
D. Tangential projection
,Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct (A): An AP projection indicates the central ray enters the
anterior surface and exits posteriorly; for a supine patient on a
stretcher a portable AP chest is appropriate because the patient
cannot stand. This aligns with Lampignano’s definition of
projection direction when the patient cannot be upright.
Incorrect (B): PA projection would require the CR to enter the
posterior chest and exit anteriorly, typically performed
standing; not correct for supine portable technique.
Incorrect (C): A lateral projection describes a CR passing from
one lateral side to the other and does not describe anterior-to-
posterior entry/exit.
Incorrect (D): Tangential refers to a CR skimming a body surface
to demonstrate specific superficial structures; it does not
describe anterior-to-posterior chest imaging.
Teaching Point
AP = CR enters anterior, exits posterior; used when patient
cannot stand.
Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
2.
,Reference
Ch. 1 — PART ONE Terminology and Positioning — Positioning
Terminology
Question Stem
A technologist is positioning a patient for a lateral elbow to
demonstrate the radial head free of superimposition. Which
lateral term best describes the required patient orientation?
Options
A. Lateral (mediolateral) projection of the elbow
B. Oblique (external) projection of the elbow
C. AP projection with external rotation
D. Tangential projection of the elbow
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct (A): A lateral (mediolateral) projection aligns the elbow
so the CR passes from the lateral side toward the medial side,
placing the radial head in profile and minimizing
superimposition. Lampignano explains lateral projections
demonstrate structures in true lateral orientation.
Incorrect (B): An oblique (external) projection rotates the joint
partially and will not produce a true lateral profile of the radial
head.
Incorrect (C): AP with external rotation is opposite direction of
CR (AP) and will not produce the lateral superimposition
, correction needed.
Incorrect (D): Tangential is used to profile small structures (e.g.,
patella), not for routine lateral elbow projection.
Teaching Point
Lateral projections place the joint in true profile along the
lateral-medial axis.
Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
3.
Reference
Ch. 1 — PART ONE Terminology and Positioning — Positioning
Principles
Question Stem
When imaging a long bone for measurement, which change will
most reduce magnification and improve true bone length
representation?
Options
A. Decrease OID (object-to-image receptor distance)
B. Decrease SID (source-to-image receptor distance)
C. Increase OID
D. Angle the CR 15° to the long axis
RELATED ANATOMY
11TH EDITION
• Author(S)John P. Lampignano
TEST BANK
Reference
Ch. 1 — PART ONE Terminology and Positioning — Positioning
Terminology
Question Stem
A supine trauma patient requires a portable chest radiograph.
Which positioning term correctly describes the image obtained
when the CR enters the anterior chest and exits the posterior
chest while the patient remains lying supine on the stretcher?
Options
A. AP (anteroposterior) projection
B. PA (posteroanterior) projection
C. Lateral projection
D. Tangential projection
,Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct (A): An AP projection indicates the central ray enters the
anterior surface and exits posteriorly; for a supine patient on a
stretcher a portable AP chest is appropriate because the patient
cannot stand. This aligns with Lampignano’s definition of
projection direction when the patient cannot be upright.
Incorrect (B): PA projection would require the CR to enter the
posterior chest and exit anteriorly, typically performed
standing; not correct for supine portable technique.
Incorrect (C): A lateral projection describes a CR passing from
one lateral side to the other and does not describe anterior-to-
posterior entry/exit.
Incorrect (D): Tangential refers to a CR skimming a body surface
to demonstrate specific superficial structures; it does not
describe anterior-to-posterior chest imaging.
Teaching Point
AP = CR enters anterior, exits posterior; used when patient
cannot stand.
Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
2.
,Reference
Ch. 1 — PART ONE Terminology and Positioning — Positioning
Terminology
Question Stem
A technologist is positioning a patient for a lateral elbow to
demonstrate the radial head free of superimposition. Which
lateral term best describes the required patient orientation?
Options
A. Lateral (mediolateral) projection of the elbow
B. Oblique (external) projection of the elbow
C. AP projection with external rotation
D. Tangential projection of the elbow
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct (A): A lateral (mediolateral) projection aligns the elbow
so the CR passes from the lateral side toward the medial side,
placing the radial head in profile and minimizing
superimposition. Lampignano explains lateral projections
demonstrate structures in true lateral orientation.
Incorrect (B): An oblique (external) projection rotates the joint
partially and will not produce a true lateral profile of the radial
head.
Incorrect (C): AP with external rotation is opposite direction of
CR (AP) and will not produce the lateral superimposition
, correction needed.
Incorrect (D): Tangential is used to profile small structures (e.g.,
patella), not for routine lateral elbow projection.
Teaching Point
Lateral projections place the joint in true profile along the
lateral-medial axis.
Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
3.
Reference
Ch. 1 — PART ONE Terminology and Positioning — Positioning
Principles
Question Stem
When imaging a long bone for measurement, which change will
most reduce magnification and improve true bone length
representation?
Options
A. Decrease OID (object-to-image receptor distance)
B. Decrease SID (source-to-image receptor distance)
C. Increase OID
D. Angle the CR 15° to the long axis
