Authors

  1. Baker, Caron EdD, MSN, BSN, RN
  2. Ramponi, Denise R. DNP, FNP-C, ENP-BC, FAEN, FAANP, CEN

Abstract

Currently, there are limited research and reports on how a chest radiograph plays a role in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, but some of the findings up to now have demonstrated that they are useful in specific situations, such as when symptoms are severe, other testing is limited, and an acute outbreak occurs (Blain et al., 2021). As referenced by Rubin et al. (2020) a consensus statement made by the Fleischner Society recommended that imagining should not be ordered in patients with mild symptoms, but it can be used in diagnosing COVID-19 if deemed necessary. Chest radiography is a relatively inexpensive, quick imaging method with minimal radiation exposure for finding typical COVID-19 lesions such as ground glass opacities or consolidation findings as the viral infection progresses. Chest radiography can also be helpful in inpatient settings when there are possible superimposed complications such as pleural effusions or pneumothorax (Chalian, 2020).