What is the effect of proper beam restriction on image quality and patient radiation dose?

• A. Increases image quality and decreases patient dose.
• B. Decreases image quality and increases patient dose.
• C. Has no effect on image quality or dose.
• D. Increases patient dose while reducing exposure time.

Answer: (A)

Limiting the X-ray field to the area of interest reduces the tissue exposed and suppresses scatter produced in the patient. Less scatter reaching the image receptor means higher contrast and clearer detail, so image quality improves. At the same time, irradiating a smaller volume lowers the overall dose delivered to the patient. If the field isn’t properly restricted, more tissue is irradiated and more scatter is produced, which can degrade image quality and increase dose. So proper beam restriction both enhances image quality and reduces patient radiation dose.