CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

In computed radiography (CR), which element primarily affects spatial resolution?

1. FILM SIZE

2. Sampling frequency

3. Exposure technique

4. Patient positioning

The correct answer is: Sampling frequency

In computed radiography (CR), spatial resolution is primarily influenced by sampling frequency. Sampling frequency refers to how often the analog image data is sampled and converted into a digital format. A higher sampling frequency leads to a greater number of data points being captured from the image, which allows for finer details and higher resolution in the resulting digital image. This means that as the sampling frequency increases, the ability to distinguish between closely spaced structures improves, thereby enhancing spatial resolution. This is crucial in diagnostic imaging, where the clarity of detail can impact the accuracy of interpretation and diagnosis. Therefore, optimizing sampling frequency is integral to ensuring high-quality images in CR systems, impacting the diagnostic utility of the radiographs produced. In contrast, other factors like film size, exposure technique, and patient positioning do play roles in the overall quality and effectiveness of imaging but do not directly impact spatial resolution as significantly as sampling frequency does in the context of CR. Film size, for example, may affect how much area is captured, while exposure technique relates more to image density and contrast rather than resolution itself. Similarly, patient positioning is essential for proper imaging but primarily affects alignment and anatomy visualization rather than spatial resolution.