ChestFree
Chest film check
Before the patient leaves, check the film: whole lungs, no rotation, 10 ribs, clear apices, and on the lateral, ribs that line up.
The 10-second check
Every chest gets the same quick check before the patient leaves the room. Are the whole lungs on the film, from the apices to both costophrenic angles and out to both lateral rib margins? Is the patient straight? Did they take a full breath? Are the scapulae out of the lungs and the clavicles below the apices? Is anything lying over the apices, like the chin or the arms? Is the exposure indicator in range, with the spine faintly visible through the heart? The real films below show a good PA and lateral next to the misses you will see most.