What term describes the undesirable increase in patient exposure due to high mA settings?

The term that describes the undesirable increase in patient exposure due to high mA settings is overexposure. In radiologic imaging, mA (milliampere) controls the quantity of radiation produced during a procedure. When the mA setting is too high, it results in an excessive amount of radiation being directed toward the patient. This can lead to higher radiation doses than necessary for the diagnostic purpose, which is not only wasteful but can also pose risks to the patient's health.

Overexposure may lead to image quality degradation, as structures may appear too dark, masking critical information needed for diagnosis. It highlights the importance of optimizing imaging parameters to ensure that patients receive the lowest possible dose while still obtaining high-quality images. This principle is an essential aspect of the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) concept in radiation protection.