Which two exposure factors are known to affect x-ray beam quality?

Kilovoltage peak (kVp) and filtration are crucial factors affecting x-ray beam quality. The kVp determines the energy level of the x-ray photons produced; higher kVp values result in more penetrating x-rays with greater quality, enabling the ability to produce images of thicker body parts with reduced scatter. This enhanced penetration helps improve image contrast and overall diagnostic value.

Filtration refers to the use of materials that absorb lower-energy x-rays from the beam, which do not contribute to the diagnostic quality of the image. By filtering out these lower-energy photons, the overall quality of the x-ray beam is improved, minimizing patient exposure without compromising image quality.

Together, kVp and filtration directly influence the energy spectrum of the x-ray beam, optimizing patient safety while ensuring high-quality imaging is achieved.