What does patient or equipment motion during exposure primarily affect?

Patient or equipment motion during exposure primarily affects recorded detail. When there is motion, the images produced can become blurred or exhibit a loss of sharpness. Recorded detail refers to the ability of a radiographic image to accurately represent the anatomical structures and their fine details. If either the patient or the imaging equipment moves during the exposure, the resulting image will not capture the details clearly, leading to insufficient diagnostic quality.

Good radiographic technique aims to minimize motion to ensure that structures of interest are clearly visible. Factors that can contribute to motion include patient movement due to discomfort or nervousness, improper positioning, or lack of immobilization devices. Therefore, the importance of stabilizing both the patient and equipment is crucial to achieving high-quality radiographs that provide the necessary detail for accurate diagnosis.