Which option represents the combination that reduces patient dose by limiting exposure factors to safe levels?

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 1 and 3
• C. 2 and 3
• D. 1, 2, and 3

Answer: (A)

Reducing patient dose comes from using exposure factors at the lowest levels that still produce a usable image. The patient’s dose increases with the amount of X-ray energy directed at them, so lowering the tube current (mA) and shortening the exposure time directly cut the radiation delivered. Using two safe reductions together compounds the effect, giving a meaningful dose drop while still aiming for an acceptable image. Including the third factor either doesn’t add further dose savings in a safe, practical way or could risk underexposure and image quality problems, so the combination of the two safe reductions is the best choice.