Technical Factors

A technologist is performing a lateral lumbar spine radiograph. The technique chart suggests 90 kVp and 40 mAs. However, the patient is thin and frail. What adjustment should the technologist consider for optimal image quality?

Reduce mAs to 20 and keep kVp at 90

What consideration should be taken when selecting exposure parameters for a digital AP thoracic spine radiograph of an elderly patient with kyphosis?

Increase kVp to penetrate the spinal curvature

A technique chart recommends 60 kilovoltage peak and 4 milliampere-seconds for a wrist radiograph without a cast. The patient has a dry fiberglass cast over the wrist. Which technique-chart adaptation is most appropriate?

Increase milliampere-seconds modestly to compensate for additional attenuation

During a digital radiographic examination of the abdomen, the initial image shows a substantial amount of quantum mottle. According to the technique chart, the appropriate settings are 80 kVp and 16 mAs. Which adjustment should the technologist make to improve image exposure?

Increase mAs to 32

When imaging a patient with suspected bronchitis, how should the radiologic technologist adjust the exposure settings from the technique chart, if at all?

Maintain the same settings as for a standard chest radiograph

A technique chart gives kVp and mAs ranges, and the technologist uses automatic exposure control for a properly centered abdomen. What is the main role of AEC in this setup?

To terminate exposure after the detector receives the preset amount of radiation

A department uses a variable kilovoltage peak technique chart for chest radiography. Repeat images of patients with high body mass index consistently show quantum noise even when positioning is correct. Which chart revision best addresses the problem?

Add body-habitus-based increases in exposure and preserves adequate beam penetration

A geriatric patient with severe osteoporosis is scheduled for a digital lateral spine image using the standard adult technique. Which exposure adjustment is most reasonable before imaging?

Slightly decrease exposure factors because less attenuation is expected.

In digital radiography, what is the impact of using a higher kVp than recommended by the technique chart for a specific examination without adjusting other factors?

Reduced image contrast

How does the use of a grid in digital radiography influence the selection of exposure parameters from the technique chart?

Requires higher mAs settings to compensate for the grid’s absorption

A lateral cervical spine technique chart recommends 70 kVp at 16 mAs for an average adult. The patient has severe osteoporosis and otherwise average body habitus. Which adjustment is most reasonable?

Decrease mAs to about 12 while maintaining 70 kVp.

During a digital radiographic procedure, if an image appears too dark, indicating overexposure, what initial adjustment should the technologist consider based on the technique chart?

Decrease mAs