To reduce patient dose, digital imaging technique should be adjusted by increasing kVp. Which option best represents this guidance?

• A. Lowering kVp
• B. Increasing mAs
• C. Shortening SID
• D. Increasing kVp

Answer: (D)

Raising kVp increases the beam’s energy, so more photons penetrate tissues and you can achieve the same image receptor exposure with fewer photons overall. In digital radiography, this means you can lower the mA (or exposure time) while still getting a usable image, which cuts the patient’s dose. Keep in mind that higher kVp lowers image contrast, but digital systems with processing can compensate for that, and the dose savings from reduced mAs typically outweigh the contrast change.

Lowering kVp would require more photons (higher mAs) to maintain receptor exposure, increasing dose. Increasing mAs directly raises dose. Shortening SID increases dose due to the inverse square law and doesn’t inherently reduce exposure needed at the detector.