CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

When using increased filtration, how is the patient dose likely to be affected?

1. It remains constant

2. It increases

3. It decreases

4. It fluctuates with equipment

The correct answer is: It decreases

Increased filtration in radiographic imaging effectively reduces the amount of low-energy, non-diagnostic radiation that reaches the patient. By filtering out these lower energy X-rays, the beam's overall quality improves, and only the higher energy, more penetrating X-rays are permitted. These higher energy X-rays are more likely to contribute to image formation rather than being absorbed by the patient’s tissues. As a result, the patient receives a decreased exposure to radiation, which is beneficial for minimizing dose while still achieving diagnostic quality images. This leads to a reduction in the risk associated with radiation exposure, making it a critical aspect of radiographic practice and patient safety.