Which of the following is considered a common source of artifacts in imaging?

Motion is a well-established common source of artifacts in imaging. When a patient moves during the imaging process, it can lead to inaccuracies in the captured images, resulting in blurring or distortion. This can hinder the quality and diagnostic utility of the images produced, as the details needed for accurate interpretation may be obscured.

Understanding how motion affects imaging is crucial for radiologic technologists because minimizing movement is a key strategy in obtaining high-quality images. This can be addressed through instructions to the patient about remaining still during the scan and possibly using faster imaging techniques when motion may be inevitable.

Other factors such as contrast media, radiation therapy, and software errors can contribute to imaging artifacts as well, but motion has a more direct and notable impact during the actual imaging procedure, making it a more frequent issue encountered in practice.