In a ventilation study, how should a patient be positioned after inhalation of the aerosol?

After the inhalation of the aerosol in a ventilation study, the patient is typically positioned supine. This positioning is crucial for accurately assessing lung function and distribution of airflow. When the patient lies supine, the effects of gravity on the distribution of the inhaled aerosol are minimized, allowing for a more uniform distribution of the radiopharmaceutical throughout the lungs. This is particularly important for evaluating ventilation in the lower lobes, where gravity might otherwise affect aerosol deposition.

Additionally, the supine position allows for effective imaging and minimizes movement artifacts during the scan, leading to clearer and more reliable results. Understanding how different positions can influence aerosol deposition and imaging outcomes helps professionals in nuclear medicine optimize their practices and interpret results correctly. Thus, supine positioning after aerosol inhalation is the standard approach in these studies.