Chest Xrays

A chest Xray is one of the most routine exams done in a radiology department. As a patient, the two most important things to remember are to follow the breathing instructions (breath in and hold it), and to remove all metal , such as a bra with clasps, necklaces, and piercings. This will help produce a quality image, and will help to eliminate any chance of having to be re exposed. To make it easy, if you're a female, wear a sports bra and a tshirt with no embroidery. For men, just wear a regular Tshirt. That way you can get in and out no problem without having to change.
         The technologist will ask you to put your chest against a board near the wall and roll your shoulders forward. This is to move your scapulae (shoulder blades) out of the way of your lungs. When they are on the lung fields they can look like pathology, so it's important to try your best to move your arms forward as instructed. The tech will then ask you to take in a deep breath (to expand your lungs) and to hold it (to prevent motion which causes blurriness). It is NOT because you can breath in the xrays, that is a misconception. Next, the tech will have you turn sideways and repeat the breathing instructions while your arms are above your head. Once again the arm placement is to move them out of the way of the lung fields. If you're dressed for success then this exam should take no more than 5-10 minutes with two exposures.