As filtration increases in radiographic imaging, what generally happens to the patient dose?

In radiographic imaging, increasing filtration primarily serves to reduce the patient's radiation dose. Filtration involves using materials to absorb low-energy X-rays that contribute little to useful imaging while increasing the patient's exposure to radiation. These low-energy X-rays do not contribute significantly to image quality but do add to the overall dose received by the patient.

By increasing the amount of filtration, the low-energy X-rays are effectively eliminated from the beam. This results in a higher average energy of the X-ray beam produced, which is more likely to penetrate the tissues and create diagnostic images while reducing the overall number of X-rays that interact with the patient's body. Consequently, the reduction in low-energy radiation contributes to a decrease in patient dose without sacrificing image quality.

This principle is essential in radiographic practices, as it allows for safer imaging procedures while maintaining effectiveness in diagnosis. Thus, the general outcome of increased filtration is a decrease in patient dose, supporting the selection of this choice.