Final answer:
Ring artifact in CT scans can be minimized by proper calibration, regular maintenance, patient stillness during scanning, and using modern imaging protocols.
Step-by-step explanation:
When scanning a patient's chest, the presence of ring artifact in axial images can be a technical issue with the Computed Tomography (CT) scanner, also known as a Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) scanner. A ring artifact may be due to various factors such as calibration errors, detector malfunction, or motion artifacts. To prevent this from happening in the future, some actions could include ensuring proper calibration of the CT scanner before the procedure, conducting routine maintenance and checks on the scanner's detectors, and instructing patients to remain as still as possible during scanning.
To improve image quality and reduce the possibility of artifacts, it's also crucial to use modern imaging protocols and software that can help mitigate such issues. Aligning the CT scanner properly, using adequate patient positioning, and employing advanced image reconstruction techniques can all contribute to minimizing the presence of artifacts.