Question

Positive contrast agents ____________ attenuation of the x-ray beam and produce areas of _____________ density on the radiograph.

Answer 1

Positive contrast agents increase x-ray attenuation and produce whiter, more dense areas on a radiograph, enhancing the visibility of structures like the gastrointestinal tract.

Step-by-step explanation:

Positive contrast agents increase attenuation of the x-ray beam and produce areas of increased density on the radiograph. When a substance with a large atomic number, such as barium or iodine, is injected into the body, it enhances the contrast on the x-ray image. In the context of radiology, these positive contrast agents cause more x-rays to be absorbed due to greater attenuation, creating a whiter appearance on the film where the rays have been blocked. This is particularly useful for visualizing internal structures like the gastrointestinal tract that have otherwise poor contrast to surrounding tissues.