What indicates to the technologist that an exposure was technically adequate?

A technically adequate exposure is indicated by the exposure status indicator. This indicator provides quantitative data regarding the quality of the image taken, allowing the technologist to assess whether the exposure settings used produced a sufficient amount of radiation for a clear, diagnostic-quality image.

The exposure status indicator is usually displayed numerically or through a specific graphical representation on the imaging system. It reflects factors such as the amount of radiation received by the detector, ensuring that the exposure is neither too low (which could result in underexposure and loss of detail) nor too high (which can increase the risk of radiation exposure to the patient without adding diagnostic value).

While the radiologist certainly assesses image quality, their review is typically based on what the technologist has already determined via the exposure status indicator. The ionizing radiation symbol functions as a safety reminder rather than an indicator of exposure adequacy, and while looking at the image on the monitor can provide some immediate feedback, it does not offer the same quantitative assessment that the exposure status indicator does.