Advanced Patient Assessment Practice Exam

To check for free fluid in the left pleural region, which radiologic view is most effective?

1. AP view

2. Right lateral view

3. Lateral decubitus view

4. Left lateral view

The correct answer is: Lateral decubitus view

The lateral decubitus view is the most effective for checking for free fluid in the pleural region because it allows gravity to influence the positioning of any fluid present. In this position, the patient lies on their side, which causes fluid to accumulate in the dependent part of the pleural cavity. When a patient is positioned this way, any fluid in the pleural space will shift to the side that is down, and can be visualized more clearly on the radiograph. This view is particularly useful in distinguishing between free fluid and other types of fluid collections, such as empyema, as well as in assessing the volume of fluid present. Free fluid will typically show as a level of fluid on the radiograph, which is most easily detected in the lateral decubitus view compared to other views. Other views may not highlight free fluid effectively due to their orientation. For instance, the anterior-posterior (AP) view does not utilize gravity in the same way and could mask small amounts of fluid. Similarly, the lateral views, whether right or left, do not provide the same dynamic imaging of fluid levels as the lateral decubitus position. Thus, the lateral decubitus view is specifically structured to maximize the visibility of free fluid