Final answer:
Decreasing screen speed in radiographic imaging will result in an increased patient dose because slower screens require more X-ray exposure to produce the same quality of image, leading to higher radiation exposure to the patient.
Step-by-step explanation:
If all other factors remain the same, decreasing screen speed in radiographic imaging will increase the patient dose. This is because slower screens are less efficient at converting X-rays into light, which means that more X-ray exposure is needed to produce the same image quality. As a result, the patient will receive a higher dose of radiation. It is important for technicians to carefully consider the screen speed to balance image quality with patient safety.