What likely result occurs when a technologist fails to adjust the mAs while using a stretcher for a shoulder exam without a grid?

The correct answer highlights the relationship between the milliampere-seconds (mAs) setting and exposure when using a stretcher for a shoulder exam without a grid. In radiography, mAs controls the amount of radiation that hits the detector, directly influencing exposure and image quality.

When a technologist does not adjust the mAs while using a stretcher, which may introduce additional absorption due to the presence of the patient’s body and possibly the stretcher itself, the resulting image may become overexposed. This occurs because the system is calibrated for standard conditions without accounting for the potential increase in density due to the lack of a grid and the added distance or material introduced by the stretcher. The absence of a grid means there's less absorption of scatter radiation, allowing more radiation to reach the detector, which can further contribute to overexposure if the mAs is not appropriately adjusted.

The failure to compensate for these factors can ultimately lead to an excessively dark image with diminished contrast, making finer details less discernible. Consequently, understanding how to adjust the mAs effectively in relation to the imaging conditions is crucial for obtaining optimal diagnostic images.