Unveiling the basics of chest radiography for nurses

Abstract

The discovery of X-ray beam in 1895 by Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen provided clinicians with a noninvasive diagnostic method to evaluate the internal alteration of anatomy within the body. Although different health providers prescribe and interpret chest X-ray (CXR), nurses are usually the first to prepare the patient for X-rays, read the radiologist's report, and provide the interpretation to a clinician. This review highlights the basics of chest radiography which will help the nurses to learn the concept and perform their work efficiently.