What effect can failure to adjust exposure factors have when imaging a patient with severe osteoporosis?

When imaging a patient with severe osteoporosis, the bone density is significantly reduced, which can lead to changes in how much radiation is absorbed by the patient's body. If exposure factors are not adjusted accordingly, the inherent low density of the bones may result in increased receptor exposure.

In this context, increased receptor exposure occurs because the imaging system may utilize the same exposure settings as for a patient with normal bone density, leading to excessive radiation reaching the receptor due to the patient's bones being more radiolucent (less dense). Consequently, without proper adjustment for the patient's condition, the receptor may capture more radiation than intended, which can result in images that are too dark or overexposed.

This aspect emphasizes the critical importance of tailoring exposure parameters based on the patient's specific anatomical and physiological conditions to ensure optimal image quality and prevent the risks associated with overexposure.