What combination of exposure factors results in the highest quality x-ray beam?

The combination that results in the highest quality x-ray beam is identified by the kilovolt peak (kVp) and milliamperage (mA) settings used during the exposure. Kilovolt peak is the measure of the maximum voltage applied across the x-ray tube, which directly affects the energy and penetrating power of the x-rays produced. Higher kVp values increase the beam quality by allowing for greater penetration through tissues.

In the provided options, a higher kVp value allows the x-rays to penetrate denser tissues more effectively, resulting in improved image quality. On the other hand, the mA setting determines the quantity of x-rays produced; however, it does not impact the penetrating ability as much as kVp does.

Option D showcases a high kVp of 96, which contributes significantly to the quality of the x-ray beam by improving penetration capability through various tissue densities. The low mA of 3 in this combination may lead to lower radiation dose, which is an important consideration in radiography, especially when combined with the sufficient penetrating power provided by the high kVp.

Overall, this combination maximizes the quality of the x-ray beam by striking an optimal balance between high energy penetration (due to greater kVp