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 AP abdomen radiograph shows asymmetric pelvic
rotation with the right ilium appearing foreshortened. Which
positioning error most likely produced this appearance?
Options
A. Patient was rotated toward the right (right posterior ilium
closer to IR)
B. Patient was rotated toward the left (left posterior ilium closer
to IR)
,C. Excessive cephalad CR angulation
D. Insufficient SID causing magnification
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
• A (Correct): Rotation toward the right brings the right
posterior ilium closer to the IR and foreshortens its
appearance—classic rotation artifact described in
positioning terminology.
• B: Rotation toward the left would foreshorten the left
ilium, not the right.
• C: Cephalad CR angulation changes vertical relationships
but does not selectively foreshorten one ilium.
• D: Reduced SID increases overall magnification but would
not create unilateral foreshortening.
Teaching Point
Rotation toward a side foreshortens that side’s anatomy.
Citation (simplified APA)
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
During a PA chest radiograph the radiographer instructs the
patient to take a deep inspiration and hold it. What is the
primary radiographic rationale for this instruction?
Options
A. To reduce heart magnification by moving the heart closer to
the IR
B. To increase lung field density for better contrast
C. To depress the diaphragm and better demonstrate lung bases
D. To expand the lungs and demonstrate maximum aeration of
pulmonary fields
Correct Answer
D
Rationales
• D (Correct): Full inspiration expands the lungs, maximizing
aeration and demonstrating pulmonary detail as
emphasized in positioning principles.
• A: Heart magnification is reduced on PA vs AP because the
heart is closer to the IR, not primarily by inspiration.
• B: Inspiration tends to decrease overall density of lungs
(more radiolucent), not increase density.
, • C: Inspiration elevates the diaphragm away from lung
bases; expiration depresses the diaphragm.
Teaching Point
Full inspiration maximizes lung expansion and reveals
pulmonary detail.
Citation (simplified APA)
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 technologist must perform an oblique projection of the
lumbar spine. How is “oblique” defined in radiographic
positioning terminology?
Options
A. A projection where the CR enters posteriorly and exits
anteriorly
B. A rotation of the patient so that the coronal plane is angled
relative to the image receptor
C. Any projection with CR angulation in the sagittal plane
D. A projection performed with the patient prone only
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 AP abdomen radiograph shows asymmetric pelvic
rotation with the right ilium appearing foreshortened. Which
positioning error most likely produced this appearance?
Options
A. Patient was rotated toward the right (right posterior ilium
closer to IR)
B. Patient was rotated toward the left (left posterior ilium closer
to IR)
,C. Excessive cephalad CR angulation
D. Insufficient SID causing magnification
Correct Answer
A
Rationales
• A (Correct): Rotation toward the right brings the right
posterior ilium closer to the IR and foreshortens its
appearance—classic rotation artifact described in
positioning terminology.
• B: Rotation toward the left would foreshorten the left
ilium, not the right.
• C: Cephalad CR angulation changes vertical relationships
but does not selectively foreshorten one ilium.
• D: Reduced SID increases overall magnification but would
not create unilateral foreshortening.
Teaching Point
Rotation toward a side foreshortens that side’s anatomy.
Citation (simplified APA)
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
During a PA chest radiograph the radiographer instructs the
patient to take a deep inspiration and hold it. What is the
primary radiographic rationale for this instruction?
Options
A. To reduce heart magnification by moving the heart closer to
the IR
B. To increase lung field density for better contrast
C. To depress the diaphragm and better demonstrate lung bases
D. To expand the lungs and demonstrate maximum aeration of
pulmonary fields
Correct Answer
D
Rationales
• D (Correct): Full inspiration expands the lungs, maximizing
aeration and demonstrating pulmonary detail as
emphasized in positioning principles.
• A: Heart magnification is reduced on PA vs AP because the
heart is closer to the IR, not primarily by inspiration.
• B: Inspiration tends to decrease overall density of lungs
(more radiolucent), not increase density.
, • C: Inspiration elevates the diaphragm away from lung
bases; expiration depresses the diaphragm.
Teaching Point
Full inspiration maximizes lung expansion and reveals
pulmonary detail.
Citation (simplified APA)
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 technologist must perform an oblique projection of the
lumbar spine. How is “oblique” defined in radiographic
positioning terminology?
Options
A. A projection where the CR enters posteriorly and exits
anteriorly
B. A rotation of the patient so that the coronal plane is angled
relative to the image receptor
C. Any projection with CR angulation in the sagittal plane
D. A projection performed with the patient prone only
