What is the effect of higher film speed on patient radiation exposure?

• A. Increases Exposure Time
• B. Increased Film Speed Decreases Exposure Time, Reducing Radiation
• C. No Effect On Exposure
• D. Only Affects Image Sharpness

Answer: (B)

Higher film speed means the film is more sensitive to X-rays, so less exposure is needed to produce the same image density. Because of this increased sensitivity, the exposure time (and other exposure factors) can be reduced while maintaining diagnostic image quality. The practical result is a lower radiation dose to the patient. If you double the film speed, you can roughly halve the exposure time to achieve the same density, which directly lowers patient radiation exposure.

The other options don’t fit because exposing longer would increase dose, film speed doesn’t have no effect on exposure, and while higher speed can affect image sharpness, it does also change exposure by allowing lower doses.