A patient with a suspected right hemothorax is unable to stand. The patient should be placed into which of the following positions to image this condition?
AP chest
left lateral decubitus
dorsal decubitus
right lateral decubitus
right lateral decubitus
Rationale: Hemothorax represents blood within the chest cavity. To demonstrate an air-fluid level on a patient who cannot stand, a decub position should be used. The patient should be positioned so the fluid collects on the lateral most margin of the lung rather than towards the mediastinum.
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