What impact does increasing noise have on patient dose during radiographic imaging?

In radiographic imaging, increasing noise generally refers to a degradation in image quality that can arise from various factors, including low signal-to-noise ratios. When noise levels rise, it often necessitates higher radiation doses to achieve an image of acceptable quality. Technologists might increase exposure settings to compensate for the noise to ensure diagnostic accuracy, which ultimately leads to increased patient dose.

This dynamic indicates that increasing noise typically correlates with a need for greater patient exposure to radiation rather than a decrease. High noise levels can obscure important details, prompting radiologists to seek clearer images through adjustments that result in higher doses rather than minimizing them. Therefore, a statement suggesting that patient dose is decreased in the presence of increased noise is inaccurate, as it is rather the opposite that occurs in practice.