INBDE (Integrated National Board Dental Examination) Practice Exam

Increasing the kVp in radiographic imaging results in which of the following?

1. Decreased long scale contrast

2. Changes in long scale contrast, more penetrating beam, reduce subject contrast

3. Less penetrating beam

4. Increased subject contrast

The correct answer is: Changes in long scale contrast, more penetrating beam, reduce subject contrast

Increasing the kVp in radiographic imaging results in changes in long scale contrast, a more penetrating beam, and a reduction in subject contrast. When kVp is increased, it affects the energy of the x-ray beam. A higher kVp means increased beam energy, which leads to greater penetration through tissues. This increase in beam penetration can result in changes in long scale contrast, where more shades of gray are produced on the image due to varying tissue densities being penetrated by the x-rays. As a result, subject contrast decreases because there is less differentiation between adjacent tissues in terms of density or atomic number. Option A is incorrect because increasing kVp does not lead to decreased long scale contrast. Option C is incorrect because increasing kVp results in a more penetrating beam, not a less penetrating one. Option D is incorrect because increasing kVp reduces subject contrast, it does not increase it.