What is the consequence of using a lower kilovoltage on receptor exposure?

Using a lower kilovoltage (kV) during an imaging procedure results in decreased receptor exposure. This is primarily because kilovoltage is directly related to the energy of the x-ray photons produced. A lower kV generates x-ray beams with lower energy, which can result in less penetration through the tissues being imaged.

As a consequence, more x-rays are absorbed by the tissue rather than reaching the receptor, which leads to a reduction in the overall exposure recorded on the receptor. Low-energy x-rays are less effective at penetrating body structures, thus resulting in fewer photons being available for interaction with the receptor.

In imaging practices, achieving adequate receptor exposure is critical for obtaining quality images; hence a lower kV can adversely affect image quality by not providing the necessary contrast and detail required for accurate diagnoses.