Physiotherapy chest x-rays

Summary

In summary, it is important to develop a systematic approach to analysing chest x-rays to ensure you do not miss anything. Once you have come to a diagnosis, does it support or reject the findings from your subjective and objective assessment? Remember there may be a lag between clinical symptoms and x-ray findings.

Once you have diagnosed the problem is it amenable to physio (such as a collapse or productive consolidation) or does it need medical management? (such as the drainage of a large pleural effusion or pneumothorax or diuretics to improve urine output in the case of fluid overload and pulmonary oedema).

The more you practice reading a chest x-ray the easier the process will become and the more confident you will feel in your abilities to interpret the films and diagnosis pathologies.

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