What is the effect of using a high kVp during an x-ray examination?

Using a high kilovolt peak (kVp) during an x-ray examination primarily leads to a decreased patient dose. Higher kVp settings result in more penetrating x-rays that effectively pass through the body tissues, which means less radiation is required to achieve the same level of image quality. The increased energy of the x-ray photons at higher kVp allows them to travel through denser areas of the body with less attenuation, reducing the overall number of x-rays needed for an effective image and subsequently lowering the dose received by the patient.

Additionally, while higher kVp can impact factors such as image contrast and scatter radiation, the most significant and immediate effect is the reduction in patient exposure. A careful balance is essential, however, since excessively high kVp levels can lead to increased scatter radiation and potentially lower image contrast if not properly managed.