Principles of Radiographic Imaging
Chapter 17: The Pathology Problem
What is pathology? correct answers The medical science and specialty practice that
deals with ALL aspects of disease, including the structural and functional changes
caused by a disease process.
Pathology and Radiation Absorption correct answers Pathology can alter thickness and
composition of patients tissue density
Does small, localized pathology require a change in technical factors? correct answers
No, it doesn't for things like kidney stones, renal calculi, and small tumors
What are Additive Conditions? correct answers Increase tissue thickness, effective
atomic number (Z#), and/or tissue density
-increase attenuation
-inversely related to image receptor exposure
Additive Conditions require? correct answers -increase in technical factors to properly
expose IR
-Thicker denser parts require more penetration (kVp)
What are destructive conditions? correct answers Decrease in tissue thickness,
effective atomic number, and/or tissue density
-decrease attenuation
-directly related to IR exposure
destructive conditions require? correct answers a decrease in technical factors to
properly expose image receptor
-decrease in mAs
To produce a visible difference requires a minimal change of ___________ % in the
overall exposure to the IR? correct answers 25-50%
An increase of ____ % in kVp will _________ the exposure to the IR correct answers
15% , double
An increase of _______% in ________ will compensate for most _____________
pathology conditions correct answers 5-15%, kVp, additive
AEC systems, will or will not, compensate for, most or all, pathological changes by
adjusting the exposure automatically correct answers Will, most
Chapter 17: The Pathology Problem
What is pathology? correct answers The medical science and specialty practice that
deals with ALL aspects of disease, including the structural and functional changes
caused by a disease process.
Pathology and Radiation Absorption correct answers Pathology can alter thickness and
composition of patients tissue density
Does small, localized pathology require a change in technical factors? correct answers
No, it doesn't for things like kidney stones, renal calculi, and small tumors
What are Additive Conditions? correct answers Increase tissue thickness, effective
atomic number (Z#), and/or tissue density
-increase attenuation
-inversely related to image receptor exposure
Additive Conditions require? correct answers -increase in technical factors to properly
expose IR
-Thicker denser parts require more penetration (kVp)
What are destructive conditions? correct answers Decrease in tissue thickness,
effective atomic number, and/or tissue density
-decrease attenuation
-directly related to IR exposure
destructive conditions require? correct answers a decrease in technical factors to
properly expose image receptor
-decrease in mAs
To produce a visible difference requires a minimal change of ___________ % in the
overall exposure to the IR? correct answers 25-50%
An increase of ____ % in kVp will _________ the exposure to the IR correct answers
15% , double
An increase of _______% in ________ will compensate for most _____________
pathology conditions correct answers 5-15%, kVp, additive
AEC systems, will or will not, compensate for, most or all, pathological changes by
adjusting the exposure automatically correct answers Will, most
