How does the radiographer protect the gonads of the patient during a fluoroscopy examination?

During a fluoroscopy examination, one of the primary considerations is minimizing radiation exposure to sensitive areas of the patient's body, particularly the gonads, which are highly radiosensitive. The use of a lead shield is an effective method in this context. When the patient is instructed to lie on a lead shield, the shield acts as a barrier between the radiation source and the gonadal area, significantly reducing the potential dose of radiation that reaches these critical organs.

Lead shields are designed to absorb or block a substantial amount of radiation, thereby protecting the patient from unnecessary exposure. This practice is consistent with the principle of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), which aims to minimize radiation exposure without compromising the quality of diagnostic imaging.

While other options such as wearing lead glasses or using lead-lined gloves provide some level of protection in specific contexts, they do not specifically address the protection of gonads during a fluoroscopic procedure. Therefore, having the patient lie on a lead shield is the most direct and effective method to ensure that radiation exposure to the reproductive organs is minimized.