In this talk, we review the crucial role of portable chest X-rays (CXRs) in managing inpatients experiencing respiratory distress, and how CXRs are a valuable diagnostic tool for narrowing down the differential diagnosis. We emphasize how CXRs complement other diagnostic exams, outline their capabilities and limitations in the inpatient setting, and review key imaging features indicative of common causes of inpatient respiratory distress. Our talk concludes by highlighting additional diagnostic tests like EKG and ABG and outlining potential interventions based on the identified causes of respiratory distress.

• Some of the case images in this talk appear courtesy of Ahmed El-Sherief, MD