What can lead to overexposure in radiographic imaging?

In radiographic imaging, overexposure is a significant issue that can result from multiple factors. Each choice listed contributes to the likelihood of this problem occurring.

Using lower than necessary kilovoltage can lead to overexposure because it may require a longer exposure time to achieve adequate penetration of the tissues being imaged. Longer exposure times can increase the amount of radiation the patient receives, leading to overexposure.

Failing to account for patient size and density is another critical factor. Different patients require different radiation doses based on their body composition. For example, a larger or denser patient might necessitate a higher dose to ensure that the X-rays penetrate adequately and produce a clear image. If the technologist does not adjust the exposure settings accordingly, it can result in overexposure of the image.

Improperly calibrated equipment can also contribute to overexposure. If the radiographic equipment is not properly calibrated, it may not deliver the correct amount of radiation based on the manually set exposure factors. This malfunction can lead to an unintended increase in exposure levels.

Since all of these factors can independently lead to overexposure in the radiographic imaging process, the correct answer encapsulates the cumulative risk from each of these conditions by indicating that all of