When comparing two x-ray beams, one at 60 kVp and another at 85 kVp,
A)adding aluminum to the 60 kVp beam greatly reduces the skin dose to the patient.
B)the 85 kVp beam will offer a lower entrance skin exposure.
C)adding 0.5 mm of aluminum to the 85 kVp beam will require no additional mAs in order to maintain beam intensity.
D)all of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Adding aluminum filtration to an x-ray beam, such as in choice A, reduces the lower energy photons, which are more likely to be absorbed by the patient's skin, thus reducing the skin dose. A higher kVp beam, as in choice B, penetrates more effectively, reducing the dose absorbed by the skin because less radiation is absorbed superficially. Choice C is incorrect because adding aluminum filtration to a beam generally requires an increase in mAs to maintain the same beam intensity due to the filtration removing some of the beam's photons. Therefore, the correct answer is D, as it encompasses the effects of filtration and beam energy on skin dose and beam intensity, acknowledging a misunderstanding in the explanation for choice C.

When Comparing Two X-Ray Beams, One at 60 KVp and Another