What term describes the x-ray beam after it has been attenuated by the patient?

• A. Entrance Beam
• B. Remnant Beam
• C. Primary Beam
• D. Incident Beam

Answer: (B)

Attenuation turns part of the x-ray beam into what remains after it passes through the patient; this surviving portion is the remnant beam. It exits the patient and travels to the image receptor, carrying the information that forms the radiographic image. The other terms describe the beam at different stages before or during interaction: the primary beam is the original x-ray beam produced by the tube, the incident beam is what initially hits the patient, and the entrance beam refers to the beam at the entry surface. Since the question asks for the beam after it has been attenuated by the patient, the remnant beam is the best fit.