Which positioning technique is used for the PA wrist examination?

The correct answer is that the PA wrist examination requires the wrist to be flat on the film with fingers extended. In this positioning technique, the arm should be positioned so that the wrist is parallel to the imaging receptor, which ensures accurate visualization of the carpal bones, joints, and other anatomical structures within the wrist.

Keeping the wrist flat allows for uniform exposure and minimizes distortion, which is essential for diagnostic quality radiographs. Additionally, extending the fingers helps in spreading the carpal bones and improves visibility of the anatomical details in the resulting image. This positioning technique is critical for obtaining a clear and accurate representation of the wrist for evaluation by a radiologist or physician.

Other options involve either rotating the wrist or applying tension that could obscure crucial anatomical detail, leading to potential misinterpretation of the images. Therefore, the flat position with extended fingers is the established standard for effective PA wrist examinations.