Final answer:
To demonstrate a possible pneumothorax, an upright PA chest X-ray, a supine AP view if the patient cannot stand, and a lateral chest X-ray are the primary chest views used. An expiratory chest X-ray may also be ordered to make a small pneumothorax more visible.
Step-by-step explanation:
To diagnose a pneumothorax, or collapsed lung, which might be related to connective tissue abnormalities, specific chest views are performed using radiography. The most common view is the upright PA (posteroanterior) chest X-ray, which provides a clear image of the lungs' structure. If a patient cannot stand, a supine AP (anteroposterior) view can be taken, although this is less ideal as it may not show smaller pneumothoraxes as easily. A lateral chest X-ray can also be useful to provide additional information on the presence and location of a pneumothorax, particularly when seen in conjunction with the upright PA view.
A specialized chest X-ray view called the "expiratory" chest film may also be ordered specifically to check for pneumothorax. This view requires the patient to exhale fully before the image is taken, which can make a small pneumothorax more conspicuous as less air in the lung can cause the pleural line of a pneumothorax to be more visible. All these views help visualize the thoracic cavity, pleural cavity, and any potential air that should not be present due to a puncture or similar trauma, altering the intrapleural pressure and affecting the lung's ability to expand.