Final answer:
The abbreviation for the type of chest x-ray described is PA, which stands for posteroanterior, where the x-rays pass from the back to the front of the patient. Computed tomography (CT) scans are more advanced and can provide three-dimensional images by analyzing x-ray absorption from different angles.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physician orders a chest x-ray where the x-rays travel from a front source to an image receiver placed behind the patient. The abbreviation for this type of x-ray is PA, standing for posteroanterior. This means that the x-rays enter through the posterior (back) of the body and exit through the anterior (front), where the image is captured. The PA view is a common way to visualize the chest and is widely used to assess the lungs, heart, and chest wall.
Computed tomography (CT) or computed axial tomography (CAT), on the other hand, is a more sophisticated imaging technique. Unlike standard x-rays, CT scans provide detailed cross-sectional images and can be compiled to create a three-dimensional view of the patient's internal structures. This is achieved by rotating an x-ray tube and detector array around the patient, and the relative absorption of the x-rays is analyzed by a computer to produce the images. CT scans offer more detailed information compared to the two-dimensional view of a standard x-ray, thus they are utilized for more complex diagnostic measures.