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 is asked to perform a chest radiograph on a
patient who can stand. The physician requests an AP projection.
Which explanation to the physician best describes why a PA
projection is preferred when the patient can stand?
Options
A. AP projection produces less magnification of the heart than
PA.
B. PA projection places the heart closer to the IR, reducing
cardiac magnification.
,C. AP projection always improves patient comfort compared to
PA.
D. PA projection is necessary only when a grid is not available.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: PA projection positions the heart nearer the image
receptor, reducing magnification and improving anatomic
accuracy of cardiac silhouette. Lampignano emphasizes how
projection choice affects organ magnification.
A (incorrect): AP actually increases cardiac magnification
because the heart is farther from the IR.
C (incorrect): Patient comfort may vary; comfort alone does not
justify choosing AP over PA when PA is feasible.
D (incorrect): Grid availability is unrelated to the decision
between PA and AP projections.
Teaching Point
PA projection reduces cardiac magnification by placing heart
nearer the IR.
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 radiograph shows asymmetric clavicular lengths on a
supposed AP chest image. Inspecting the positioning record, the
tech recorded the patient was rotated toward the left. Which
positional effect most likely caused the asymmetry?
Options
A. Rotation produced unequal OID of the clavicles, causing
apparent length difference.
B. Grid cutoff produced unequal exposure across the image
causing asymmetry.
C. SID was too short, resulting in overall magnification but
symmetric clavicles.
D. Insufficient collimation produced scatter that elongated the
clavicles.
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct: Rotation shifts one clavicle farther from the IR
(increasing OID) and the other closer, producing apparent
length and position differences. Lampignano describes how
rotation alters bilateral anatomy appearance.
B (incorrect): Grid cutoff changes exposure density but would
not selectively change apparent clavicular length.
, C (incorrect): Shorter SID causes uniform magnification, not
unilateral clavicular asymmetry.
D (incorrect): Scatter from poor collimation degrades contrast
but does not selectively elongate one clavicle.
Teaching Point
Patient rotation alters apparent bilateral anatomy by changing
OID on the rotated side.
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
While centering for an AP abdomen (KUB), a student centers
the CR too cephalad. Which diagnostic-quality problem will
most likely result?
Options
A. Diaphragm will be cut off but the pelvic structures will
remain included.
B. Pelvic anatomy may be excluded, reducing visualization of
lower abdomen.
C. The lumbar spine will appear foreshortened due to SID
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 is asked to perform a chest radiograph on a
patient who can stand. The physician requests an AP projection.
Which explanation to the physician best describes why a PA
projection is preferred when the patient can stand?
Options
A. AP projection produces less magnification of the heart than
PA.
B. PA projection places the heart closer to the IR, reducing
cardiac magnification.
,C. AP projection always improves patient comfort compared to
PA.
D. PA projection is necessary only when a grid is not available.
Correct Answer
B
Rationales
Correct: PA projection positions the heart nearer the image
receptor, reducing magnification and improving anatomic
accuracy of cardiac silhouette. Lampignano emphasizes how
projection choice affects organ magnification.
A (incorrect): AP actually increases cardiac magnification
because the heart is farther from the IR.
C (incorrect): Patient comfort may vary; comfort alone does not
justify choosing AP over PA when PA is feasible.
D (incorrect): Grid availability is unrelated to the decision
between PA and AP projections.
Teaching Point
PA projection reduces cardiac magnification by placing heart
nearer the IR.
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 radiograph shows asymmetric clavicular lengths on a
supposed AP chest image. Inspecting the positioning record, the
tech recorded the patient was rotated toward the left. Which
positional effect most likely caused the asymmetry?
Options
A. Rotation produced unequal OID of the clavicles, causing
apparent length difference.
B. Grid cutoff produced unequal exposure across the image
causing asymmetry.
C. SID was too short, resulting in overall magnification but
symmetric clavicles.
D. Insufficient collimation produced scatter that elongated the
clavicles.
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
Correct: Rotation shifts one clavicle farther from the IR
(increasing OID) and the other closer, producing apparent
length and position differences. Lampignano describes how
rotation alters bilateral anatomy appearance.
B (incorrect): Grid cutoff changes exposure density but would
not selectively change apparent clavicular length.
, C (incorrect): Shorter SID causes uniform magnification, not
unilateral clavicular asymmetry.
D (incorrect): Scatter from poor collimation degrades contrast
but does not selectively elongate one clavicle.
Teaching Point
Patient rotation alters apparent bilateral anatomy by changing
OID on the rotated side.
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
While centering for an AP abdomen (KUB), a student centers
the CR too cephalad. Which diagnostic-quality problem will
most likely result?
Options
A. Diaphragm will be cut off but the pelvic structures will
remain included.
B. Pelvic anatomy may be excluded, reducing visualization of
lower abdomen.
C. The lumbar spine will appear foreshortened due to SID
