The respiratory therapist is called to evaluate a patient with a suspected pleural effusion

The respiratory therapist would MOST likely recommend which of the following chest radiographic views to help determine if the patient has a pleural effusion?
a. An AP film
b. A PA film
c. A left lateral film
d. A lordotic film
e. A lateral decubitus film

E
The lateral decubitus radiograph is useful in the diagnosis of a suspected or known fluid accumulation in the pleural space (i.e., a pleural effusion) that is not easily seen in the PA radiograph. A pleural effusion, which is usually more thinly spread out over the diaphragm in the upright position, collects in the gravity-dependent areas while the patient is in the lateral decubitus position, allowing the fluid to be more readily seen.