Which of the following techniques effectively reduces scatter radiation?

The technique that effectively reduces scatter radiation involves both reducing the field size and using grids. When the field size is minimized, there is less tissue being irradiated, which directly reduces the amount of scatter produced. Scatter radiation occurs when x-rays interact with matter; the less matter there is in the path of the radiation, the less scatter will be generated.

In addition, incorporating grids further enhances this effect. Grids are designed to absorb scattered radiation that may reach the image receptor, improving the overall contrast of the image. They do this by allowing only the primary, less divergent x-rays to pass through while absorbing those x-rays that have scattered off of tissues.

Combining these two techniques is particularly effective because it not only reduces the initial production of scatter but also addresses the scatter that may still reach the imaging detector. Therefore, using a combination of reducing field size and implementing grids results in a significantly improved image quality and reduces unnecessary radiation exposure to both the patient and healthcare personnel.