Which of the following factors does NOT affect the quantity of scattered radiation?

The quantity of scattered radiation generated during a radiographic procedure is influenced by several factors that directly relate to the physical interactions occurring within the patient and the radiographic equipment. Field size, kVp, and part thickness all play significant roles in determining the amount of scatter produced.

Field size impacts scatter because a larger field permits more radiation to interact with the patient, leading to increased scattering due to the greater volume of tissue being irradiated. Higher kilovolt peak (kVp) settings also contribute to scatter production; as kVp increases, more high-energy photons are produced, which can interact with matter and generate additional scatter. Part thickness affects the scatter as well; thicker body parts absorb and scatter more radiation, increasing the overall amount of scatter radiation produced.

In contrast, patient anxiety does not have a direct physical impact on radiation scatter. While anxiety may affect patient positioning and motion during an exposure, it does not alter the fundamental interactions between the X-ray beam and the patient's tissues that determine the scattered radiation. Thus, it's clear that patient anxiety is the factor that does not influence the quantity of scattered radiation in a meaningful way compared to the other choices.