Which of the following changes can decrease patient dose during imaging?

The option that indicates the correct change to decrease patient dose during imaging is increasing the grid ratio to 16:1. A higher grid ratio is effective in reducing the amount of scatter radiation that reaches the imaging receptor. Scatter radiation can contribute significantly to the dose received by the patient without contributing useful diagnostic information. Therefore, using a higher grid ratio improves the overall image quality by reducing scatter, which allows for lower exposure settings to achieve the same image quality, ultimately leading to a decrease in the patient dose.

This principle relies on the grid's ability to absorb scattered radiation; with a higher ratio, the grid is more efficient at attenuating scatter, leading to cleaner images. Consequently, lower radiation doses can be used during the imaging process while still obtaining diagnostic-quality images.

In contrast, using a slower-speed class imaging system does not inherently reduce patient dose, as it may require a longer exposure time to achieve the necessary image quality. Increasing the grid ratio also does not inherently lead to decreased patient dose; in fact, appropriately using a grid can require a higher exposure to reach the same image quality due to the greater amount of additional tissue density. Reducing lead shielding is not advisable, as proper shielding is critical for minimizing unnecessary radiation exposure to sensitive tissues. De