Final answer:
Increasing the field size in imaging procedures such as X-rays results in higher absorbed patient dose, due to a larger volume of the body being irradiated. This can lead to more scatter radiation, making field size management critical for both patient safety and image quality.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the field size is increased while keeping all other factors constant, the patient dose is affected as more tissue is exposed to the radiation, which can result in a higher absorbed dose. In imaging procedures such as X-rays, a larger field size means that a greater volume of the body is being irradiated, thereby increasing the overall amount of radiation the patient's body absorbs. This is because the exposure is not only reliant on the intensity and duration of radiation but also on the amount of tissue that is exposed to the radiation.
For instance, in diagnostic radiology, an increase in field size without a change in other exposure parameters will lead to more scatter radiation, which can contribute to higher patient dose and may affect image quality. Therefore, proper field size management is crucial to ensure optimal imaging while minimizing the radiation dose to as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA principle).