Which intervention is effective in reducing patient exposure during radiography?

Using aluminum for filtration is an effective intervention for reducing patient exposure during radiography. Filtration helps to remove low-energy X-rays from the beam that do not contribute to image quality but do increase the patient's radiation dose. The presence of these low-energy X-rays can result in unnecessary exposure without providing any diagnostic benefit.

By employing aluminum as a filtration material, the X-ray beam becomes more refined, allowing only the higher-energy, more penetrating X-rays to pass through to the patient. This results in a clearer image while minimizing the amount of radiation the patient absorbs. Aluminum is commonly used because it effectively absorbs low-energy photons, enhancing the safety and efficacy of diagnostic radiography.

In contrast, other options may not achieve the goal of reducing exposure effectively. For example, using less powerful X-ray machines would mean that higher exposure times may be needed to obtain sufficient image quality. Administering a contrast agent does not reduce radiation exposure; its primary purpose is to enhance imaging of specific structures. Increasing the number of views could inadvertently increase overall exposure, as each additional view typically requires another dose of radiation.