How does the use of a grid affect patient exposure during an imaging procedure?

The use of a grid in imaging procedures primarily serves to improve image quality by reducing the amount of scatter radiation that reaches the imaging receptor. When a grid is employed, it increases the overall image contrast by allowing only the direct (primary) radiation to pass through while absorbing scattered radiation.

However, this comes at the cost of increasing the required radiation dose to achieve adequate exposure for high-quality images. Because grids absorb some of the primary radiation in addition to the scatter, the radiologic technologist must compensate by increasing the overall radiation dose to the patient to ensure that enough primary radiation reaches the image receptor for a properly exposed image.

This means that while grids enhance the quality of the images produced, they also necessitate higher exposure levels for patients, which directly ties the use of grids to an increase in patient exposure during an imaging procedure.