CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What happens to the radiation dose when the distance from a patient to the image intensifier is increased?

1. It decreases

2. It remains the same

3. It increases

4. It fluctuates

The correct answer is: It increases

When the distance from a patient to the image intensifier is increased, the radiation dose actually decreases. This phenomenon is explained by the inverse square law, which states that the intensity of radiation is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. As you move further away from the source of radiation (in this case, the patient), the amount of radiation that reaches the image intensifier significantly diminishes. For example, if the distance is doubled, the intensity of the radiation is reduced to one-fourth of its original value. Therefore, increasing the distance results in a lower radiation dose received by the image intensifier, which is crucial for minimizing the exposure to both patients and healthcare providers. This principle is fundamental in radiography practice for ensuring safety and reducing unnecessary radiation exposure.