Which radiographic study produces an image of the chest cavity using X-ray?

• A. Chest X-ray
• B. Colonoscopy
• C. Bone scan
• D. Complete blood count

Answer: (A)

X-ray radiography uses ionizing radiation to create images of internal structures. To visualize the chest cavity, the study that emits X-rays through the thorax and records how much is absorbed is a chest X-ray. This produces a two-dimensional image of the lungs, heart, and surrounding bones, and it’s the quick, standard test for chest symptoms because it can reveal pneumonia, fluid, collapsed lung, heart size, and other abnormalities. The other options do not use X-ray imaging of the chest: colonoscopy visualizes the colon with an endoscope; a bone scan involves a radioactive tracer and a gamma camera to image bone metabolism; a complete blood count is a laboratory blood test with no imaging.