RADIOGRAPHIC POSITIONING AND
RELATED ANATOMY
11TH EDITION
• Author(S)John P. Lampignano
TEST BANK
1. Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles
— Positioning Terminology
Question Stem
A supine trauma patient requires a chest radiograph but cannot
be moved. Which term best describes the patient’s body
position during imaging?
Options
A. Fowler’s
B. Decubitus
C. Trendelenburg
D. Lithotomy
Correct Answer
B
,Rationales
Correct: Decubitus describes a patient who is lying down
(supine, prone, or lateral) with the central ray horizontal; it
applies to a supine patient imaged without movement.
Decubitus positions are used when the CR must be horizontal,
such as in air-fluid level evaluation.
A: Fowler’s is a semiupright position and would not describe a
fully supine, immobile patient.
C: Trendelenburg is a head-down tilt used for specific
physiologic reasons, not a neutral supine imaging position.
D: Lithotomy is a supine position with legs elevated and
separated for pelvic procedures, not routine chest imaging.
Teaching Point
Decubitus = patient recumbent; CR horizontal for air-fluid level
evaluation.
Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
2. Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles
— Positioning Terminology
Question Stem
A radiographer instructs a patient to turn 45° toward the image
,receptor for an oblique spine film. Which statement best
explains why a 45° oblique is chosen?
Options
A. It places the vertebral bodies parallel to the IR.
B. It maximizes visualization of the intervertebral foramina on
the side closest to the IR.
C. It eliminates the need for a grid.
D. It converts an AP projection into a lateral projection.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: A 45° oblique projects the pedicles and intervertebral
foramina en face on one side, improving visualization of
foraminal anatomy. This degree of obliquity balances anatomy
demonstration with patient comfort.
A: Vertebral bodies are not made parallel to the IR by obliquity;
rotation alters which structures are profiled.
C: Grid use depends on body part thickness and technique, not
obliquity angle.
D: An oblique is distinct from a true lateral; it does not convert
AP to lateral.
Teaching Point
Obliquity angles profile foramina/pedicles; 45° often
demonstrates foraminal anatomy best.
, Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
3. Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles
— Positioning Principles
Question Stem
A technologist notices asymmetry of the clavicles on a PA chest
image. Which positioning error most likely produced this
appearance?
Options
A. Excessive SID
B. Patient rotation about the long axis
C. Incorrect CR angulation in the sagittal plane
D. Inadequate expiration
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Rotation about the long axis causes one clavicle to
appear more superior or asymmetric relative to the spine;
clavicular symmetry is a sensitive indicator of rotation on chest
images.
A: SID affects magnification but not clavicular symmetry.
C: Sagittal CR angulation changes vertical relationships but
RELATED ANATOMY
11TH EDITION
• Author(S)John P. Lampignano
TEST BANK
1. Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles
— Positioning Terminology
Question Stem
A supine trauma patient requires a chest radiograph but cannot
be moved. Which term best describes the patient’s body
position during imaging?
Options
A. Fowler’s
B. Decubitus
C. Trendelenburg
D. Lithotomy
Correct Answer
B
,Rationales
Correct: Decubitus describes a patient who is lying down
(supine, prone, or lateral) with the central ray horizontal; it
applies to a supine patient imaged without movement.
Decubitus positions are used when the CR must be horizontal,
such as in air-fluid level evaluation.
A: Fowler’s is a semiupright position and would not describe a
fully supine, immobile patient.
C: Trendelenburg is a head-down tilt used for specific
physiologic reasons, not a neutral supine imaging position.
D: Lithotomy is a supine position with legs elevated and
separated for pelvic procedures, not routine chest imaging.
Teaching Point
Decubitus = patient recumbent; CR horizontal for air-fluid level
evaluation.
Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
2. Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles
— Positioning Terminology
Question Stem
A radiographer instructs a patient to turn 45° toward the image
,receptor for an oblique spine film. Which statement best
explains why a 45° oblique is chosen?
Options
A. It places the vertebral bodies parallel to the IR.
B. It maximizes visualization of the intervertebral foramina on
the side closest to the IR.
C. It eliminates the need for a grid.
D. It converts an AP projection into a lateral projection.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: A 45° oblique projects the pedicles and intervertebral
foramina en face on one side, improving visualization of
foraminal anatomy. This degree of obliquity balances anatomy
demonstration with patient comfort.
A: Vertebral bodies are not made parallel to the IR by obliquity;
rotation alters which structures are profiled.
C: Grid use depends on body part thickness and technique, not
obliquity angle.
D: An oblique is distinct from a true lateral; it does not convert
AP to lateral.
Teaching Point
Obliquity angles profile foramina/pedicles; 45° often
demonstrates foraminal anatomy best.
, Citation
Lampignano, J. P. (2024). Textbook of Radiographic Positioning
and Related Anatomy (11th Ed.). Ch. 1.
3. Reference
Ch. 1 — Terminology, Positioning, and Imaging Principles
— Positioning Principles
Question Stem
A technologist notices asymmetry of the clavicles on a PA chest
image. Which positioning error most likely produced this
appearance?
Options
A. Excessive SID
B. Patient rotation about the long axis
C. Incorrect CR angulation in the sagittal plane
D. Inadequate expiration
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Rotation about the long axis causes one clavicle to
appear more superior or asymmetric relative to the spine;
clavicular symmetry is a sensitive indicator of rotation on chest
images.
A: SID affects magnification but not clavicular symmetry.
C: Sagittal CR angulation changes vertical relationships but
