What can be a direct result of patient movement during radiographic exposure?

Patient movement during radiographic exposure can lead to blurry or unclear images because the position of the tissues and structures within the body may change during the time the exposure is being made. Radiographic images rely on the accurate capture of X-ray beams passing through the body, which creates a detailed representation of anatomical structures. If a patient moves even slightly during the exposure, the X-ray film or digital receptor captures multiple positions of the same structure, resulting in an image that lacks the sharpness and clarity needed for proper diagnosis. This blurriness can obscure important details and lead to misinterpretation of the radiographs, necessitating retakes and increased exposure to radiation.