Which factor would lead to an increase in patient dose?

The factor that would lead to an increase in patient dose is associated with a decreased fill factor. In digital radiography, the fill factor refers to the proportion of each pixel in a detector that is sensitive to the incoming radiation. A lower fill factor indicates that less of the pixel area is actively collecting data, generally resulting in a need for higher radiation exposure to produce an adequate image.

When the fill factor decreases, more radiation is often required to compensate for the efficiency loss in capturing the X-ray photons. This compensatory increase in radiation exposure directly correlates with an increase in patient dose, as the system must utilize stronger or longer exposures to achieve a diagnostic-quality image in the absence of optimal pixel sensitivity. Therefore, in terms of minimizing patient dose while maintaining image quality, a higher fill factor is typically preferable because it means a more significant portion of the pixel area is in use, allowing for effective imaging with lower radiation.