(2) Angled central ray, caudal. If, on the other hand, the CR is angled down toward
the feet, as in figure 3-51 below, then the CR is angled away from the head,.
Figure 3-51. Angled CR, caudal.
d. Patient Positioning. Patient positioning is the process of assisting the
patient onto the X-ray table and into one of the following positions: supine, prone,
lateral, or oblique.
e. Part Position. Part position is the placement of a specific body part in
relationship to the CR. The patient is turned moved around as needed until the body
part is centered with the CR.
3-23. BREATHING TERMINOLOGY
a. General. Giving the correct verbal prompts to the patient regarding breathing
just before and after taking the exposure can mean the difference between a good
radiograph and one in which the end result is blurred because the patient moved at an
inopportune moment.
b. Suspended Respiration. Suspended respiration occurs when the patient is
instructed to stop breathing. For example, at that moment you press the button to take
the exposure, you will instruct the patient to stop breathing.
c. Suspended Inspiration. Just before you actually take the exposure, you will
instruct the patient to take a deep breath and hold it. This is referred to as suspended
inspiration. Again, you will not use this technical term with the patient.
d. Suspended Expiration. Just before you make the exposure, you will instruct
the patient to take a deep breath, blow it all the way out, and then hold it out. This is
referred to as suspended expiration.
e. Normal Breathing. As the name suggests, this is when the patient is
instructed to continue breathing naturally as he would normally breathe.
MD0961
3-44