What is a likely consequence of low-energy x-ray photons being absorbed in a patient's skin?

When low-energy x-ray photons are absorbed in a patient's skin, one likely consequence is increased patient exposure. Low-energy photons have insufficient energy to penetrate deeply into the body, thus they are more likely to be absorbed by the skin and superficially located tissues. This absorption contributes to the total radiation dose that the patient receives during an imaging procedure.

Increased patient exposure can lead to a range of effects, including skin erythema (redness of the skin) or in more severe cases, radiation burns. Therefore, understanding the interaction of low-energy x-rays with body tissues is crucial for minimizing unnecessary doses to patients, which is a core principle in radiologic practices focused on safety and efficacy.

The other options are less relevant in this context, as they pertain more to the technical aspects of imaging rather than the direct consequences of low-energy photon absorption in the skin.