Which section should state the clinical question or reason for the exam?

Which section should state the clinical question or reason for the exam?

• A. Indication
• B. Technique
• C. Findings
• D. Impression

Answer: (A)

The indication section states why the exam was ordered—the clinical question or reason for imaging. It succinctly describes the patient’s symptoms or suspected diagnosis and what the referring clinician wants answered, which sets the purpose and guides both the study protocol and the interpretation. The technique, findings, and impression each serve different roles, while the indication frames what the radiologist is aiming to resolve. For example, if a patient has acute abdominal pain with suspected appendicitis, the indication should reflect that concern, so the study and its final impression are directed at confirming or excluding appendicitis.

The indication section states why the exam was ordered—the clinical question or reason for imaging. It succinctly describes the patient’s symptoms or suspected diagnosis and what the referring clinician wants answered, which sets the purpose and guides both the study protocol and the interpretation. The technique, findings, and impression each serve different roles, while the indication frames what the radiologist is aiming to resolve. For example, if a patient has acute abdominal pain with suspected appendicitis, the indication should reflect that concern, so the study and its final impression are directed at confirming or excluding appendicitis.