Which factor can influence the dose of radiation received by a patient in radiographic examinations?

In radiographic examinations, multiple factors contribute to the dose of radiation that a patient receives, each influencing how much radiation is necessary to achieve a diagnostic-quality image.

Film speed plays a significant role in determining the dose. Faster film speeds require less radiation exposure to produce an image of comparable quality to that produced by slower films. This is because faster films are more sensitive to radiation, allowing the radiographer to achieve the necessary image density with lower doses.

Grid use also affects patient dose. Grids are used to improve image quality by reducing scatter radiation that can fog the image. However, using a grid typically requires an increase in the amount of radiation exposure, as it absorbs some of the primary radiation. When a grid is used, the technician often needs to compensate with higher exposure settings which can lead to higher radiation doses if not carefully managed.

Exposure technique encompasses a variety of settings such as kilovoltage (kVp), milliamperage (mA), and time. Properly adjusting these parameters ensures that the lowest possible dose is used while still obtaining an adequate image. Careful selection of these exposure factors can significantly decrease the radiation exposure to the patient.

Considering all these elements, each factor—film speed, grid use, and exposure technique—plays