Introduction: Due to the diagnostic applicability of an X-ray image, it is also necessary to maintain the same exposure index. When changing the exposure conditions, we can use the "15% rule", which describes the ratio between the acceleration voltage - U (kV) and the product of the current and time - It (mAs), or by a method in which, in order to maintain the same intensity of the beam, the mAs product is changed by the fifth exponent of the ratio between the two acceleration voltages (kV). By using the "15% rule" we can influence the reduction of the patient's dose length or the reduction of the scattered radiation and consequently a better contrast resolution of the image. Purpose: We wanted to find out how the change of the exposure conditions affected the patient's dose length and to find the optimal beam intensity that motions on the image receptor (IR). Methods: We measured the product between the dose and the surface, as well as the exposure index under different exposure conditions. The exposure conditions were set electronically by adjusting both the acceleration voltage (kV) and the electric current at a certain exposure time (mAs). Results: In the study, we found out that for the selected voltages in the range from 45 kV to 81 kV, regardless of the thickness and absorption coefficient of the object, the "15% rule" is in principle true, the deviations are between 0 – 14%, only when increasing voltage from 55 to 63 kV, is the deviation of 21%. Discussion and conclusion: From the measurements performed in this study, we can conclude that the "15% rule" is not always accurate, but it is reliable enough in everyday practice, because the X-ray apparatus only offers certain values of the exposure conditions, so this is why we can`t always set the calculated or optimal values. It is rather more accurate when the basic acceleration voltage is reduced by 15%, than when the voltage is increased by 15%. With the reduction of the acceleration voltage, the dose is increased and vice versa. By using the "15% rule" in practice we can influence the reduction of the patient's dose length and reduction of the exposure time, with which we optimize the radiological procedure.
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