eclipse – “My mother had a symptomatic cough at a young age….an x-ray is a clear window to the lungs…Health,please “let” her take an x-ray!!”
Not exactly a clear window, but the reason I said she doesn’t need a CXR in this case because the diagnosis should be apparent without one. We don’t like to give x-rays and expose pts. to radiation unless it’s necessary. If for some reason the PCP will not be sure what he/she is dealing with, then they will order the imaging technique they feel is necessary. As a teenager, as nervous teenagers are, I had a cough that was lingering, the doc ordered a CXR. I remember thinking who knows what he thinks I have, ch’vs. I was petrified. Of course, it was negative.
Practioners: Talk to your pts. Let them know why you are doing things.