Radiation Health & SafetyQuestion 5 of 100
The dentist asks the assistant to increase the penetrating power of the x-ray beam for a patient with dense bone. Which exposure factor should be adjusted?
a.Milliamperage (mA)
b.Kilovoltage peak (kVp)
c.Exposure time
d.Source-to-film distance
Explanation
Kilovoltage peak controls the energy, or quality, of the beam, so raising kVp produces shorter-wavelength photons that penetrate dense tissue more effectively. Milliamperage and exposure time control the quantity of radiation produced, not its penetrating ability. Source-to-film distance affects beam intensity at the receptor but does not change photon energy.
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