Finger PA
Position the Patient
- Seated at table
- Place hand on IR
- Extend the affected finger straight
Words That Work
“Rest your palm flat on the plate and straighten the affected finger as much as is comfortable. Keep the fingernail facing straight up toward the ceiling, and move the other fingers out of the way. Hold still.”
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PA finger positioning
Set Up the Shot
- Center here
- Central ray
- PIP joint
- Include this in the field
- Collimation
- Entire finger and full metacarpal
- Set the distance
- SID
- 40"
- Check the technique
- Technique
- 55-60 kVp
- Follow facility protocols
Common Pitfalls
- •Finger not straight
- •Rotation
- •Entire finger and metacarpal not included
Evaluate the Image
What should be visible?
- Entire finger
- PIP, DIP, MCP joints
- Full metacarpal
Does the image pass?
- ✓Finger straight
- ✓No rotation (symmetric appearance of shafts)
- ✓Joints open
- ✓Entire finger and metacarpal included