What are the primary controls on the x-ray machine?

The primary controls on the x-ray machine are kVp (kilovoltage peak), mA (milliamperage), and time.

kVp determines the energy and penetrating power of the x-rays produced; higher kVp settings allow for better penetration of dense materials, resulting in clearer images with more contrast.

mA controls the amount of current passing through the x-ray tube, which affects the quantity of x-rays generated during the exposure. Higher mA settings lead to increased radiation dose and more x-ray photons produced, thereby enhancing the film blackening in radiography.

Time refers to the duration of the exposure; it is crucial for controlling the total amount of radiation delivered to the film or digital sensor. Longer exposure times result in more x-ray photons hitting the imaging surface, which can improve the image quality but also increases the patient's dose.

By adjusting these three parameters, radiologic technologists can optimize image quality while also managing patient safety and exposure dose effectively.