Which parameter adjustment maintains image quality while reducing dose?

Which parameter adjustment maintains image quality while reducing dose?

• A. Increase mA
• B. Increase exposure time
• C. Use higher kVp with appropriate filtration to reduce dose while preserving image quality
• D. Lower kVp

Answer: (C)

Balancing image quality with patient dose comes from optimizing beam energy and filtration. Raising the kilovolt peak increases beam penetration, which lets you keep the same receptor exposure with less current or shorter exposure time, while filtration removes low-energy photons that add patient dose but don’t improve image quality. So using a higher kVp with appropriate filtration lowers the dose and preserves diagnostic image quality, even though it may reduce contrast slightly—contrast can still be adequate with proper technique. Increasing mA or exposure time directly increases dose, and lowering kVp tends to require more exposure to maintain density, potentially increasing dose or compromising image quality.

Balancing image quality with patient dose comes from optimizing beam energy and filtration. Raising the kilovolt peak increases beam penetration, which lets you keep the same receptor exposure with less current or shorter exposure time, while filtration removes low-energy photons that add patient dose but don’t improve image quality. So using a higher kVp with appropriate filtration lowers the dose and preserves diagnostic image quality, even though it may reduce contrast slightly—contrast can still be adequate with proper technique. Increasing mA or exposure time directly increases dose, and lowering kVp tends to require more exposure to maintain density, potentially increasing dose or compromising image quality.