What should be done to maintain a proper quality assurance in x-ray imaging?

Maintaining proper quality assurance in x-ray imaging is crucial to ensure image quality and patient safety. Adjusting the milliampere (mA) and kilovolt peak (kVp) settings is essential because these parameters directly influence the exposure of the film or detector.

The mA setting controls the quantity of x-rays produced, affecting the overall brightness and the contrast of the image. Higher mA settings result in increased exposure but can also lead to excessive patient dose if not balanced properly. On the other hand, the kVp setting affects the energy of the x-rays and therefore their penetrating ability, determining how well different tissues are differentiated in the resulting image. Correctly adjusting these settings based on the specific requirements for different examinations helps optimize image quality while minimizing radiation exposure to the patient.

Keeping these settings within appropriate ranges is a foundational aspect of quality assurance, ensuring that both the diagnostic quality of the images and the safety of patients are upheld.