What occurs when the selected kVp is set too high?

When the selected kilovoltage peak (kVp) is set too high, it can lead to a situation where too many photons reach the image receptor. This overexposure condition occurs because higher kVp levels increase the penetrating power of the x-ray photons, allowing more photons to pass through the patient and reach the receptor.

This results in a higher quantity of photons registering on the imaging detector, which can compromise image quality. The excessive exposure can lead to overexposed images appearing with a lack of contrast, potentially creating a washed-out effect.

Thus, the correct understanding correlates with the idea that when kVp is set too high, it increases the number of photons that reach the receptor to an extent that can negatively impact the clarity and detail of the image produced.