What is a potential consequence of poor beam alignment during radiographic procedures?

Poor beam alignment during radiographic procedures can lead to a higher risk of unnecessary patient exposure. When the X-ray beam is not properly aligned with the area of interest, it may require higher doses of radiation to achieve acceptable image quality. This can happen because misalignment can lead to the need for retakes or adjustments that increase overall radiation exposure to the patient. Additionally, inadequate beam alignment can negatively impact the quality of the images, obscuring critical diagnostic information and potentially leading to missed diagnoses or misinterpretations, which would again necessitate repeat imaging and further exposure.

The other options do not align with the consequences of poor beam alignment. Increased patient comfort, accurate imaging results, and improved efficiency in processing images are typically not associated with poor beam alignment and are instead expected outcomes of well-executed radiographic techniques.