To minimize patient exposure while maintaining image quality, which combination of exposure factors should be used for an abdomen image?

Selecting a high kilovoltage peak (kVp) combined with low milliampere-seconds (mAs) is the optimal approach to minimize patient exposure while maintaining adequate image quality for an abdomen radiograph.

Using a high kVp allows for greater penetration of the x-ray beam through the denser tissues in the abdomen, ensuring that the resulting images have sufficient contrast and clarity. A higher kVp results in a more energetic beam, which is capable of penetrating the abdominal structures effectively and producing a quality image with less radiation to the patient.

Simultaneously, employing a low mAs reduces the total radiation dose that the patient receives during the imaging process. The mAs controls the quantity of x-ray photons produced; therefore, by keeping it low while utilizing a high kVp, the overall exposure can be significantly diminished without compromising the diagnostic utility of the image.

In summary, the combination of high kVp and low mAs strikes a balance between minimizing patient exposure to radiation and ensuring the necessary imaging quality, making it the preferred choice for abdominal imaging.