Final answer:
Increasing kVp by 15% primarily leads to reduced radiation exposure by allowing the same imaging density with fewer x-ray photons. It is not typically associated with increased image contrast, enhanced spatial resolution, or improved dynamic range, which are dependent on other factors.
Step-by-step explanation:
When considering the benefits of increasing kVp by 15%, it's important to understand the effect on an x-ray image. Increasing the kilovolt peak (kVp) essentially increases the energy of the x-ray photons, allowing them to penetrate denser material more effectively. As such, one of the main benefits is B) Reduced radiation exposure. When kVp is increased, the patient can be exposed to fewer x-ray photons to achieve the same density of imaging, therefore reducing the overall radiation dose. However, this increase in kVp can potentially lead to decreased image contrast because more photons are able to penetrate the tissue, creating a more uniform image with fewer dark and light contrasts.
Option A, increased image contrast, would not be a benefit of higher kVp as it tends to have the opposite effect. Option C, enhanced spatial resolution, is not directly affected by changes in kVp; rather, it's influenced by the imaging system's geometry and detector characteristics. Option D, improved dynamic range, is not directly related to kVp adjustments. The dynamic range is related to the system's ability to accurately capture a range of densities within the image, which is not solely dependent on the energy of the x-ray photons.