To improve spatial resolution, a technologist should do what?

To enhance spatial resolution in imaging, decreasing the focal spot size (FSS) is a crucial strategy. A smaller focal spot creates sharper images because it reduces the blurring that can occur at the edges of an object being imaged. When the focal spot size is minimized, the X-rays are emitted from a more defined area, allowing for greater detail and resolution in the captured image. This results in better visualization of fine structures within the area being imaged, which is essential for accurate diagnosis and evaluation.

In contrast, increasing the focal spot size would lead to a larger area of divergence for the X-rays, which can cause blurring and a decrease in the overall sharpness of the image. Similarly, altering the source-to-image distance (SID) or film speed does not directly impact the clarity of the image in the same way that focal spot size does. A longer SID can improve image sharpness through geometric principles, but it is not as effective for spatial resolution as managing the focal spot size itself. Film speed influences the image density and contrast rather than the resolution directly. Thus, reducing the focal spot size is the most effective approach to improving spatial resolution in RTBC imaging.