How does exposure time affect radiation dose?

Longer exposure time increases radiation dose because the amount of radiation delivered to the patient is directly proportional to the duration of exposure. When an imaging system is used to capture a radiographic image, a certain level of radiation is emitted over a specific period. If the exposure time is extended, the total amount of radiation that reaches the patient increases accordingly. This principle is crucial in radiographic practice, as it emphasizes the need for optimizing exposure time to minimize unnecessary radiation dose while still obtaining high-quality images.

Conversely, suggesting that longer exposure decreases the dose overlooks the basic relationship between time and radiation quantity. Therefore, it’s important for radiologic technologists to manage exposure time effectively to ensure patient safety while achieving the necessary image quality for accurate diagnoses.