Which of the following practices can help minimize radiation exposure to both patient and staff?

  1. Increasing mAs
  2. Using high-speed film
  3. Reducing distance from the X-ray source
  4. Using a smaller focal spot

Answer (Detailed Solution Below)

Option 2 : Using high-speed film

Detailed Solution

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Correct Answer: Using high-speed film
Rationale:
  • High-speed film is designed to be more sensitive to X-rays, allowing for shorter exposure times. This reduces the amount of radiation the patient is exposed to during an X-ray procedure.
  • Minimizing exposure time is a key principle in radiation safety, as it directly reduces the dose received by both the patient and the healthcare provider.
  • Using high-speed film also helps maintain image quality while adhering to the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle, which aims to minimize radiation exposure.
Explanation of Other Options:
Increasing mAs
  • Rationale: Increasing milliampere-seconds (mAs) directly increases the amount of X-ray photons produced, which in turn increases the radiation dose to the patient. This is contrary to the goal of minimizing exposure.
Reducing distance from the X-ray source
  • Rationale: Reducing the distance from the X-ray source to the patient or staff increases radiation exposure due to the inverse square law, which states that radiation intensity increases as the distance to the source decreases.
Using a smaller focal spot
  • Rationale: While using a smaller focal spot can improve image resolution, it does not directly affect radiation exposure. It does not contribute to minimizing radiation dose to the patient or staff.
Conclusion:
  • Among the given options, using high-speed film is the most effective practice for minimizing radiation exposure to both patients and staff. It ensures high-quality imaging while adhering to radiation safety principles.
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