CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What positioning error occurs if the heart shadow covers the body of the sternum and the right SC joint is over the vertebral column?

1. Insufficiently obliqued

2. Excessively obliqued

3. Correctly positioned

4. Perfectly aligned

The correct answer is: Excessively obliqued

The situation described indicates that the heart shadow is obscuring the body of the sternum, and the right sternoclavicular joint (SC joint) is visualized over the vertebral column. This specific alignment suggests that the patient has been positioned too far in one direction, causing the heart to project inadequately over the sternum. When the heart shadow covers the sternum, it usually signals excessive obliquity in the positioning. Ideally, for optimal imaging of the heart and associated structures, the patient should be positioned correctly to achieve an adequate degree of obliquity that separates the heart from the sternum and aligns the SC joint appropriately. The right SC joint should ideally appear laterally to the vertebral column, not over it, which indicates that the positioning may need adjustment to ensure proper visualization of these anatomical structures. This knowledge of positioning is essential for radiographers as they strive for accurate imaging in diagnostic radiography.