To compensate for halving exposure time due to involuntary motion, the kilovoltage should ideally be increased by how much?

To understand the ideal compensation for halving the exposure time due to involuntary motion, it is important to recognize the relationship between exposure time and kilovoltage in radiographic imaging.

When exposure time is halved, it means that the amount of radiation being delivered to the detector is reduced. To maintain the same image density and overall quality, it’s essential to adjust the kilovoltage appropriately. Increasing kilovoltage enhances the energy of the X-ray photons, which allows them to penetrate the tissues more effectively.

The standard protocol in radiography is that a 15% increase in kilovoltage approximately doubles the amount of radiation reaching the image receptor; therefore, when the exposure time is halved, a 15% increase compensates for the reduction in exposure to maintain image quality. This increase helps ensure that the resultant images are not too light or underexposed, keeping the contrast and clarity at desirable levels despite the shorter exposure time.

This choice aligns with widely accepted principles in radiographic technique and would lead to optimal results when addressing sudden motion that necessitates changes in exposure parameters.