How many heat units are produced from an x-ray taken with 110 kVp and 5 mAs on a high-frequency machine if the rectification constant is 1.40?

To determine the number of heat units produced during an x-ray exposure, one can use the formula that accounts for kVp, mAs, and the rectification constant. The formula for calculating heat units is:

Heat Units = kVp × mAs × Rectification Constant

In this scenario, you have:

• kVp = 110

• mAs = 5

• Rectification Constant = 1.40

By plugging in these values:

Heat Units = 110 kVp × 5 mAs × 1.40

Calculating that gives:

Heat Units = 110 × 5 × 1.40

Heat Units = 110 × 7

Heat Units = 770

Therefore, the total heat units produced from the x-ray is 770. This method highlights the importance of each component in the formula, demonstrating how the kVp sets the potential energy available, the mAs determines the amount of exposure, and the rectification constant adjusts for the type of x-ray machine being used. This leads to the correct answer of 770 heat units.