What effect does increasing the mA have on an x-ray image?

Increasing the milliampere (mA) setting on the x-ray machine directly affects the amount of radiation produced during an exposure. This increase in radiation results in a higher quantity of x-rays being emitted, which, in turn, leads to greater exposure of the x-ray film or sensor.

As the exposure increases, the film or digital image captures more photons, which results in a darker or more blackened image on the radiograph. The blackening of the image is a reflection of the density; with higher mA levels, more blackening occurs because more x-ray photons penetrate the subject being imaged and reach the film or sensor. This relationship helps in producing clearer images, especially when it’s essential to visualize structures of interest more prominently against a background.

Therefore, when mA is increased, the resultant effect is an increase in blackening of the x-ray image, making this the correct answer.