What it means
Radiation passes through the body and makes an image: dense parts such as bone show up white, air looks black, and soft tissue looks gray. Common x-rays are a chest x-ray (to look at the lungs and heart and to check a tube's position) and x-rays of bones for fractures. computed tomographykum-PYOO-tid toh-MOG-ruh-feeAn imaging test that uses x-rays and a computer to make cross-section pictures of the inside of the body.tom/o cut, slice-graphy process of recordingFull entry scans also use x-rays, taken from many angles.
For the nurse
Ask women of childbearing age whether they could be pregnant, and remove metal such as jewelry from the area being imaged. A new nasogastric or feeding tube is usually confirmed on x-ray before it is used.
At a glance
| Abbreviations | CXR (chest x-ray) |
|---|---|
| Spanish | radiografía |
| Also written | x-rays, xray, radiograph |
Related terms
ultrasound
An imaging test that uses high-frequency sound waves to make pictures of the inside of the body.
computed tomography
An imaging test that uses x-rays and a computer to make cross-section pictures of the inside of the body.
magnetic resonance imaging
An imaging test that uses a strong magnet and radio waves to make detailed pictures of the inside of the body.