X-ray photons that lack the energy to penetrate the patient will result in what outcome?

X-ray photons that possess insufficient energy to penetrate the patient tend to be absorbed by the superficial layers of the skin. This absorption leads to an increase in patient skin dose because the energy from these low-energy photons is deposited directly into the skin tissues rather than traveling through the patient to create an image.

When these lower-energy photons are absorbed rather than passing through to contribute to image formation, they can lead to a higher concentration of radiation exposure right at the skin's surface. This is particularly relevant in radiologic practices, as minimizing skin dose is essential for patient safety.

In contrast, more energetic photons are more likely to penetrate through the body and contribute to producing a diagnostic image rather than being absorbed by the superficial layers. Thus, when there is an abundance of low-energy photons, the patient's exposure to radiation at the skin level increases rather than being mitigated. This reinforces the importance of using optimal exposure settings to limit the number of low-energy photons produced during an imaging procedure.