Xray Positioning Practice Test 2025 - Free Xray Positioning Practice Questions and Study Guide

For a PA (posteroanterior) hand x-ray, the hand should be positioned palm down with fingers approximated. This positioning is crucial as it allows for the proper alignment of the hand and finger structures in relation to the x-ray beam.

Placing the hand palm down ensures that the dorsal (back) surface of the hand is in close contact with the imaging receptor, which aids in reducing distortion and maintaining the clarity of the bones and joint spaces. Approximating the fingers minimizes superimposition while still allowing for a clear view of the interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joints.

When the fingers are spread apart, as suggested in another choice, it can create a higher potential for overlapping images of the phalanges, which can obscure important details in the radiograph. Similarly, positioning the hand palm up or sideways would not only fail to capture the anatomy in the preferred view but could lead to increased distortion and difficulty in evaluating the structures of the hand accurately.

Therefore, the palm-down and fingers-approximated position is essential for obtaining a diagnostic-quality x-ray of the hand.