During a fluoroscopic procedure, which action best reduces radiation exposure to the technologist?

Reducing radiation exposure during a fluoroscopic procedure hinges on several principles of radiation safety, particularly the time, distance, and shielding concepts. Among these, minimizing the time spent in the procedure is highly effective because radiation exposure is directly proportional to the amount of time spent exposed to the radiation source.

The longer the duration of the fluoroscopic procedure, the greater the cumulative dose of radiation experienced by the technologist. By efficiently managing and minimizing the time in which the technologist is exposed to the radiation, the overall dose can be significantly reduced, thereby lowering the risk of potential harmful effects from radiation exposure.

While lead shields, increasing distance from the radiation source, and wearing protective clothing are all important measures in radiation safety, they complement the principle of minimizing exposure time rather than surpassing its effectiveness in this context. Reducing time is a critical method that directly influences dose reduction, making it a practical and immediate action during fluoroscopic procedures.