Which type of intensity measurement is typically the lowest due to its inclusive evaluation of receive time?

The correct answer is temporal average intensity, which is typically the lowest type of intensity measurement because it accounts for the average power of the ultrasound beam over the entire pulse duration, including both the "on" and "off" times of the pulse. This measurement reflects the average energy transmitted to the tissue over time, rather than just the peak values.

Temporal average intensity takes into consideration the time the ultrasound system is actively transmitting and the time it is not transmitting (receiving), resulting in a lower average value compared to other intensity measurements that focus on instantaneous peak levels. As such, it provides a more comprehensive evaluation of the ultrasound exposure over the cycle of the pulse, thus resulting in a lower intensity reading.

This nuance of considering the entire receive time contributes to safety assessments in ultrasound applications, as it helps to mitigate risks associated with higher peak intensity measurements that do not accurately reflect average exposure levels.