Which two features of digital fluoroscopy help reduce patient dose?

Which two features of digital fluoroscopy help reduce patient dose?

• A. Pulsed fluoroscopy and continuous exposure
• B. Last image hold and continuous flow
• C. Pulsed fluoroscopy and last image hold
• D. Automatic gain control and last image hold

Answer: (C)

Pulsed fluoroscopy and last image hold are essential features in digital fluoroscopy that contribute significantly to reducing patient dose.

Pulsed fluoroscopy operates by producing intermittent X-ray exposures rather than continuous radiation. This method allows for lower doses of radiation to be administered while still providing sufficient imaging for diagnostic purposes. The intermittent pulsing decreases the overall radiation exposure time, thereby minimizing the overall dose received by the patient.

The last image hold function enhances safety by allowing the radiologist or technician to hold and review the most recent image without the need for continuous X-ray exposure. This feature enables practitioners to assess the situation without re-exposing the patient, effectively reducing the cumulative radiation dose.

In contrast, options involving continuous exposure do not align with dose reduction strategies, as they imply prolonged radiation delivery. Additionally, while automatic gain control can improve image quality, it does not inherently lower dose, making the focus on pulsed fluoroscopy and last image hold the correct choice for minimizing patient dose in digital fluoroscopy.