All of the following will increase the chance of documenting shadowing posterior to a small renal stone EXCEPT:

Documenting shadowing posterior to a small renal stone is influenced by several factors related to ultrasound technique and equipment settings. The correct answer highlights that using a linear probe is not associated with an increased chance of documenting shadowing.

A linear probe typically has a higher frequency and provides better resolution, which can enhance the visualization of small structures, including kidney stones. However, the characteristics of a linear probe do not inherently increase the shadowing effect. Shadowing occurs due to the attenuation of sound waves as they pass through a dense material, such as a stone, and is more pronounced with specific settings and techniques rather than the choice of probe type alone.

In contrast, reducing gain can enhance the visibility of shadowing by making any echogenic areas behind the stone more pronounced against the background of tissue. Similarly, positioning the focal zone at the level of the calculi optimizes the image quality and can enhance the representation of shadowing. Increasing transducer frequency typically improves resolution and may also increase the likelihood of noticing shadowing effects due to better visualization of the interaction between sound waves and the stone.

Thus, while the choice of probe can influence other aspects of image quality, it does not directly contribute to a higher chance of documenting shadowing in the same way that adjustments