Which of the following can lead to increased scatter radiation during a radiographic exam?

Increasing kVp (kilovolt peak) can lead to increased scatter radiation during a radiographic exam because higher energy photons are produced. When kVp is increased, the penetrating ability of the x-ray beam is enhanced. This results in more photons being able to pass through the patient’s body and interact with tissues. When these high-energy photons interact with atoms in biological tissues, they can cause Compton scattering, leading to an increase in scatter radiation.

Scatter radiation occurs when x-rays deviate from their original path after interacting with matter, which can result in a loss of image quality and increased radiation exposure to both the patient and the radiographer. Therefore, while raising the kVp improves penetration and image quality for denser tissues, it simultaneously contributes to a higher level of scatter radiation in the imaging environment.

Using a collimator, decreasing exposure time, and using a grid are methods generally employed to reduce scatter radiation and improve image quality. Collimators limit the size of the x-ray field, thereby reducing the volume of tissue irradiated and consequently the amount of scatter produced. Decreasing exposure time can minimize the total amount of radiation, and a grid can absorb scatter radiation before it reaches the image receptor. Thus, increasing kVp stands out as