Computed Tomography Technologist Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

The primary function of Automatic Exposure Controls (AEC) in CT imaging is to optimize the amount of radiation used during a scan by automatically adjusting the milliampere-seconds (mAs) based on patient size and density. AEC systems measure the radiation that passes through the patient and adjusts the exposure in real-time, ensuring that the image quality is sufficient while minimizing radiation dose to the patient. Controlling mAs is crucial because it directly influences the amount of radiation delivered; higher mAs settings increase radiation dose, while lower settings might compromise image quality.

While AEC is focused on managing radiation dose, it does not directly adjust spatial resolution or correct for patient movement. Spatial resolution is determined by factors such as the imaging parameters of the CT system and reconstruction algorithms, rather than AEC settings. Additionally, while AEC systems might indirectly address the impact of patient movement by adjusting exposure during scanning, they do not actively correct for motion artifacts; rather, strategies like breath-holding or motion correction algorithms are implemented to manage those aspects.