Final answer:
Scattered radiation on a radiographic image produces fog and reduces the contrast, impairing image quality. It does not increase contrast or exposure in a beneficial manner for diagnostic purposes. So option (A) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
The effects of scattered radiation on a radiographic image include producing fog and potentially reducing image quality by lowering the contrast. When radiation scatters, it spreads out and exposes areas of the film that should remain unexposed, resulting in a foggy or gray appearance. This fog decreases the overall contrast of the image because there is less distinction between the different shades of gray, which represent different tissues or structures.
Contrast is crucial in radiography, as it allows for the differentiation between various tissues and abnormalities. High contrast produced by proper imaging techniques with minimal scatter improves diagnostic accuracy. Hence, scattered radiation does not increase but rather lowers contrast.
Increased exposure due to scattered radiation can lead to an overall gray appearance but does not equate to an increased diagnostic exposure. The presence of scattered radiation requires an adjustment in exposure settings to ensure a diagnostic-quality image; however, scatter itself does not intrinsically result in a useful increase in exposure.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question regarding the effects of scattered radiation on a radiographic image is Option A: 1 & 2 only - it produces fog and reduces contrast.