Advanced Patient Assessment Practice Exam

How many posterior ribs should be visible above the diaphragm on a PA film to indicate a good inspiratory effort?

1. 5

2. 6

3. 8

4. 10

The correct answer is: 10

A good inspiratory effort on a posteroanterior (PA) chest film is indicated by the visibility of at least ten posterior ribs above the diaphragm. This is a standard evaluating criteria in radiology to ensure that the patient has taken a deep breath during the imaging process. When ten ribs are visible, it suggests that the lungs are well inflated, providing a clear view of the lung fields, heart, and mediastinal structures. This level of lung expansion is important for accurate interpretation of the chest X-ray, allowing for the assessment of any pathological changes. The presence of fewer ribs, such as five, six, or eight, may indicate that the patient did not take a full, deep breath, which can lead to an inadequate evaluation of lung structures and may obscure potential abnormalities. Therefore, the visibility of ten posterior ribs above the diaphragm is essential for optimal imaging quality and accurate diagnostic capability.