What would a chest X-ray show in a patient during an asthma attack if it were taken?

A chest X-ray taken during an asthma attack is likely to show moderate hyperinflation. This occurs because, during an asthma attack, the airways become constricted and inflammation causes the air to become trapped in the lungs. As a result, there is an increase in the volume of air that stays in the lungs during expiration, leading to hyperinflation.

Hyperinflation is characterized by an increase in the lung volumes, which can be identified on X-rays by a flattening of the diaphragm, an increase in the anterior-posterior diameter of the thorax, and an increased lung volume. The visible signs on the imaging are key indicators of the obstructive nature of the respiratory condition. This phenomenon is often accompanied by an increase in the overall radiolucency of the lung fields due to air trapping.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the typical findings associated with an asthma attack. The blunting of the costophrenic angle is more indicative of pleural effusion rather than asthma. Minor infiltrates would suggest a different pathology, such as infection or other lung disease. Lastly, a low, elevated diaphragm contradicts the expected hyperinflation, as the diaphragm would appear flattened due to the increased lung volume rather than being positioned lower