What is the recommended exposure technique for routine fluoroscopic examinations?

The recommended exposure technique for routine fluoroscopic examinations is high kVp combined with low mA. This approach is effective for several reasons.

First, using a high kilovolt peak (kVp) enhances the penetration power of the x-ray beam, allowing it to pass through various body tissues more effectively. This is advantageous in fluoroscopy, where visualizing structures with varying densities is crucial. A higher kVp value helps to improve image contrast and can reduce patient dose, as it requires lower mA settings to achieve the necessary exposure.

Additionally, employing low milliampere-seconds (mAs) minimizes the quantity of x-rays produced, further decreasing patient radiation exposure during fluoroscopy. Since fluoroscopy often involves longer examination times, keeping mA low helps to maintain safety standards while still acquiring adequate image quality.

Together, the high kVp and low mA combination leads to an optimized balance between adequate visualization and patient safety, making it the preferred technique for routine fluoroscopic procedures.