What effect will occur when using an automatic exposure control (AEC) system to image a hyposthenic patient?

Using an automatic exposure control (AEC) system for imaging a hyposthenic patient results in decreased exposure time. AEC is designed to adjust the exposure time automatically based on the radiation reaching the detector, ensuring optimal image quality while minimizing patient dose. Hyposthenic patients, who have a more slender body habitus, often require less exposure time to adequately penetrate their tissues compared to average or hypersthenic patients.

The AEC compensates for variations in patient size and density by shorten the exposure time, which helps prevent overexposure and maintain suitable image quality. This adjustment is particularly vital for patients with varying body types, as it optimizes the balance between image quality and radiation dose.

Other answers may have nuances, but they do not directly align with the functioning of AEC in relation to imaging a hyposthenic patient in a way that influences exposure time.