American Society of Radiologic Technologist (ASRT) Practice Exam

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What happens to receptor exposure and contrast when kVp is decreased?

Decrease receptor exposure; decrease contrast
Decrease receptor exposure; increase contrast
Increase receptor exposure; decrease contrast
Increase receptor exposure; increase contrast

The correct answer is: Decrease receptor exposure; increase contrast

When kilovolt peak (kVp) is decreased, receptor exposure, which refers to the amount of radiation exposure received by the imaging receptor, will decrease. This is because lower kVp results in less penetration power of the x-ray beam, leading to fewer x-ray photons being able to reach the receptor. As a result, the image may appear lighter due to the reduced number of photons striking the receptor. In terms of contrast, decreasing kVp increases the contrast of the image. This occurs because lower kVp settings tend to produce a greater difference between adjacent tissue densities, allowing for finer distinctions to be observed between different anatomical structures. Essentially, the image becomes more "black and white," which enhances the visibility of details within the image. Thus, the relationship between decreased kVp, decreased receptor exposure, and increased contrast is key in understanding the effects of kVp adjustments on image quality in radiography.