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 technologist must obtain a chest image that minimizes cardiac
magnification and better visualizes posterior lung markings.
Which projection should be selected and why?
Options
A. AP upright — it uses a shorter OID for less magnification.
B. PA upright — it places the heart closer to the IR, reducing
magnification.
C. AP supine — it projects heart posteriorly to decrease
magnification.
,D. Lateral — it primarily evaluates vertebral bodies, not
magnification.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: PA upright positions the anterior chest (heart) closer to
the image receptor, decreasing OID and cardiac magnification
while better demonstrating posterior lung fields.
A: AP upright actually increases OID for the heart because the
heart is farther from the IR, producing more magnification.
C: AP supine increases OID and magnification and is used when
the patient cannot stand, not to reduce magnification.
D: Lateral demonstrates lateral structures and does not address
anterior–posterior magnification differences.
Teaching Point
PA chest reduces cardiac magnification by minimizing object-to-
image distance.
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 Principles
,Question Stem
On a frontal knee radiograph the fibular head appears partially
superimposed by the tibia, suggesting rotation. Which
adjustment will best correct patient positioning for a repeat
frontal knee?
Options
A. Increase CR angle 5° cephalad.
B. Rotate the limb internally until the fibular head is less
overlapped.
C. Rotate the limb externally until the tibial plateau is parallel to
the IR.
D. Move the IR closer to the patient to reduce OID.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Internal or external rotation of the limb is the primary
method to correct axial rotation; rotating the limb internally
often brings the fibular head into its expected lateral position
on an AP/semiflexed knee.
A: Changing CR angulation affects joint space demonstration
but does not correct rotational overlap.
C: External rotation may worsen fibular-tibial superimposition
depending on initial rotation; the specific correction is based on
the direction of the observed overlap.
D: Reducing OID improves sharpness but does not correct
rotational misalignment of bony landmarks.
, Teaching Point
Correct axial rotation of the limb eliminates superimposition
and yields accurate anatomy alignment.
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 Terminology
Question Stem
A trauma patient cannot be moved from supine. The
radiographer needs to evaluate air–fluid levels in the abdomen.
Which projection/technique best demonstrates air–fluid levels
in an immobile patient?
Options
A. AP supine abdomen with expiration.
B. Left lateral decubitus with horizontal CR.
C. Upright PA abdomen with a 90° tube angle.
D. Oblique supine with 30° rotation.
Correct Answer
B
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 technologist must obtain a chest image that minimizes cardiac
magnification and better visualizes posterior lung markings.
Which projection should be selected and why?
Options
A. AP upright — it uses a shorter OID for less magnification.
B. PA upright — it places the heart closer to the IR, reducing
magnification.
C. AP supine — it projects heart posteriorly to decrease
magnification.
,D. Lateral — it primarily evaluates vertebral bodies, not
magnification.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: PA upright positions the anterior chest (heart) closer to
the image receptor, decreasing OID and cardiac magnification
while better demonstrating posterior lung fields.
A: AP upright actually increases OID for the heart because the
heart is farther from the IR, producing more magnification.
C: AP supine increases OID and magnification and is used when
the patient cannot stand, not to reduce magnification.
D: Lateral demonstrates lateral structures and does not address
anterior–posterior magnification differences.
Teaching Point
PA chest reduces cardiac magnification by minimizing object-to-
image distance.
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 Principles
,Question Stem
On a frontal knee radiograph the fibular head appears partially
superimposed by the tibia, suggesting rotation. Which
adjustment will best correct patient positioning for a repeat
frontal knee?
Options
A. Increase CR angle 5° cephalad.
B. Rotate the limb internally until the fibular head is less
overlapped.
C. Rotate the limb externally until the tibial plateau is parallel to
the IR.
D. Move the IR closer to the patient to reduce OID.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: Internal or external rotation of the limb is the primary
method to correct axial rotation; rotating the limb internally
often brings the fibular head into its expected lateral position
on an AP/semiflexed knee.
A: Changing CR angulation affects joint space demonstration
but does not correct rotational overlap.
C: External rotation may worsen fibular-tibial superimposition
depending on initial rotation; the specific correction is based on
the direction of the observed overlap.
D: Reducing OID improves sharpness but does not correct
rotational misalignment of bony landmarks.
, Teaching Point
Correct axial rotation of the limb eliminates superimposition
and yields accurate anatomy alignment.
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 Terminology
Question Stem
A trauma patient cannot be moved from supine. The
radiographer needs to evaluate air–fluid levels in the abdomen.
Which projection/technique best demonstrates air–fluid levels
in an immobile patient?
Options
A. AP supine abdomen with expiration.
B. Left lateral decubitus with horizontal CR.
C. Upright PA abdomen with a 90° tube angle.
D. Oblique supine with 30° rotation.
Correct Answer
B
