Table 2.

Illustrates the differences between two common CXR projections.

PA view	AP view
Standard frontal Chest projection	Alternative frontal projection to the PA
X-ray beam traverses the patient from posterior to anterior	X-ray beam traverses the patient from anterior to posterior
Needs full aspiration and standing position from patient	Can be performed patient sitting on the bed
Best practice to examine lungs, mediastinum and thoracic cavity	Best practice for intubated and sick patients
Heart size appear normal	Heart size appear magnified
Images are of higher quality and a better option to assess heart size	Not a good option to assess the size of heart