Course Description
There are 3 main determinants of radiographic quality: receptor exposure, spatial resolution, and distortion. Many factors can affect these elements of quality which can ultimately impact the diagnostic quality of the image. Radiologic technologists (RTs) need to understand the relationships between these factors and the 3 factors that effect image quality. Receptor exposure can be affected by milliamperage (mAs), kilovoltage peak (kVp), source-to-image distance (SID), grids, tube filtration, beam restriction, the anode heel effect, and patient factors. Spatial resolution can be affected by object-to-image distance (OID), SID, focal spot size, motion, and patient factors, as well as tube, part, and receptor angle. Distortion can be affected by OID, SID, and patient factors, and tube, part, as well as the receptor angle. Understanding these individual elements and how they relate to receptor exposure, spatial resolution, and distortion will allow RTs to produce the highest quality diagnostic image possible while minimizing radiation dose to the patient and personnel. This CE course seeks to explain these factors and explore their relationships to improve RTs' grasp of radiographic quality.

Learning Objectives
After completing this course, the participant should be able to:

• IDENTIFY the factors that affect receptor exposure, spatial resolution, and distortion.
• EXPLAIN how receptor exposure is affected by mAs, kVp, SID, grids, tube filtration, beam restriction, anode heel effect, and patient factors.
• SUMMARIZE how spatial resolution is affected by OID, SID, focal spot size, motion, patient factors, and the angle of the tube, part, and receptor.
• SUMMARIZE how distortion is affected by OID, SID, patient factors, and the angle of the tube, part, and receptor.

 

Categories: Radiography, Digital Radiography

In order to receive CE credit, you must first complete the activity content. When completed, go to the "Take CE Test!" link to access the post-test.

Submit the completed answers to determine if you have passed the post-test assessment. You must answer 14 out of 18 questions correctly to receive the CE credit. You will have no more than 3 attempts to successfully complete the post-test.

Participants successfully completing the activity content and passing the post-test will receive 2.0
ARRT Category A credits.

Approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for ARRT Category A credit.

Approved by the state of Florida for ARRT Category A credit.

Texas direct credit.

This activity may be available in multiple formats or from different sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities such as Internet courses, home study programs, or directed readings to be repeated for CE credit in the same biennium.

Category	Content Area	Credits
Radiography	Image Production	2

Category	Subcategory	Credits
Radiography	Equipment Operation and Quality Assurance	0.5
Radiography	Image Acquisition and Evaluation	1.5

Category	Credits
Digital	2
Fluoroscopy	0
Mammography	0