What is the impact of patient motion during a radiographic exposure?

Patient motion during a radiographic exposure typically results in a decrease in image clarity. When a patient moves, the radiographic system captures images of the anatomy while it is in motion, which causes blurring or streaking on the image. This motion can obscure critical details that are necessary for accurate diagnosis and interpretation. As a result, high-quality diagnostic images require the patient to remain still during exposure.

In contrast, if there is no motion, the image can better represent the true anatomy, providing clearer and more detailed information. Therefore, minimizing patient motion is essential to maintain the integrity and clarity of the radiographic image.