There is no evidence that a chest X-ray improves patient outcomes or decreases recovery time for those with upper respiratory infections. Chest X-rays should be reserved for those patients with clinical suspicion of pneumonia, acute upper airway infection with comorbid conditions and those with symptoms persisting beyond three weeks. Pneumonia presents with at least two of: fever, rigors, new cough with or without sputum production or chronic cough with change in colour of sputum, pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath and localized crackles. Nurse practitioners should be mindful of the risks associated with cumulative radiation exposure such as that from chest X-rays.
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