A patient is suspected to have a left pneumothorax. You have orders to image the patient to acquire an air-fluid level. Which position would best demonstrate this pathology?

right lateral decubitus
ventral decubitus
left lateral decubitus
dorsal decubitus


right lateral decubitus

Rationale: For a patient with a left pneumothorax, the patient should be placed in a right lateral decubitus to allow the free air to collect in the lateral most portion of the left lung.

Health Professions

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