Which factor can lead to an increase in scattered radiation during radiographic procedures?

Using higher kVp settings can lead to an increase in scattered radiation during radiographic procedures because higher kilovolt peak (kVp) settings result in higher energy photons being produced. These higher-energy photons have a greater likelihood of interacting with the tissues within the patient rather than being absorbed. As the photons pass through the patient, their interactions can cause them to scatter in various directions.

This increased scattering occurs for several reasons. First, with higher kVp, the beam can penetrate more deeply into the body, which increases the number of interactions between the X-rays and tissues. Second, these interactions lead to Compton scattering, where the photon loses energy and changes direction after colliding with a loosely bound outer shell electron. The result is a scattering of radiation that can affect the area surrounding the initial exposure field, leading to more scattered radiation that contributes to the overall radiation dose to the patient and potentially to the staff.

In contrast, decreasing the field size or reducing the contrast resolution would generally limit exposure and decrease scattering. Increasing the patient thickness can also increase absorption but does not inherently increase scatter as much as higher energy settings do. Therefore, higher kVp is a key factor in the increase of scattered radiation during radiographic procedures.