When using automatic exposure control (AEC) during a chest radiograph, what adjustment can minimize patient exposure?

Using a lower density setting on the automatic exposure control (AEC) minimizes patient exposure by allowing for a more controlled and optimized radiation dose during the imaging process. The AEC system is designed to automatically adjust the exposure time to achieve the appropriate image density based on the amount of radiation reaching the detector. By selecting a lower density setting, the AEC will terminate the exposure sooner, which reduces the total radiation dose received by the patient while still achieving a diagnostic quality image.

This adjustment is particularly important during procedures such as chest radiographs, where maintaining image quality while minimizing radiation exposure is crucial. By reducing the density setting, you directly influence the AEC's criteria for exposure termination, encouraging shorter exposure times, thus enhancing patient safety.

In contrast, other options may not effectively minimize patient exposure. For instance, decreasing the kVp setting can often lead to an increase in exposure time to maintain image quality, which could inadvertently increase patient dose. Increasing the source-to-image distance (SID) generally improves image sharpness but may also require higher exposure times, potentially increasing radiation to the patient. Selecting a higher mA station increases the tube current, which can result in a higher radiation dose, contradicting the goal of minimizing exposure.