Final answer:
Increasing the mA and kVp of a CT scan usually results in increased patient dose, improved image quality, and increased processing time.
Step-by-step explanation:
Increasing the mA and kVp of a CT scan will usually result in the following:
- Increased patient dose: Increasing the mA (milliamperage) and kVp (kilovolt peak) of a CT scan results in higher radiation exposure for the patient. This is because higher mA and kVp settings increase the number and energy of X-rays used to create the image.
- Improved image quality: Higher mA and kVp settings allow for better penetration of the X-rays through the patient's body, resulting in clearer and more detailed images. This can be especially helpful in diagnosing small abnormalities or lesions.
- Increased processing time: Higher mA and kVp settings require more X-ray data to be processed by the computer, which may prolong the time it takes to generate the final image. However, advances in technology have reduced processing times in modern CT scanners.