What should be done to limit anterior soft tissue exposure in lateral thoracic x-rays?

Adjusting collimation settings is crucial in limiting anterior soft tissue exposure during lateral thoracic x-rays. Proper collimation narrows the x-ray beam to the area of interest, which in this case is the thoracic region. By focusing the beam, unnecessary exposure of surrounding soft tissues is minimized, reducing the overall radiation dose to those areas.

Using collimation effectively helps to enhance image quality by preventing scatter radiation, which can obscure details and decrease the contrast in the thoracic image. Additionally, this practice aligns with the principles of radiation safety and minimizing exposure to patients, emphasizing the importance of using only the necessary amount of radiation for diagnostic purposes.

The other options do not align with the goal of limiting anterior soft tissue exposure. Increasing patient thickness would likely increase dose and increase exposure, while using a low kVp can result in increased scatter and poorer image quality. Including all soft tissue areas is contrary to the goal, as it would increase rather than limit exposure.