Which safety practice minimizes radiation exposure to patients?

Using lead shields is a well-established safety practice that effectively minimizes radiation exposure to patients during diagnostic imaging procedures. Lead shields are made from materials that provide a dense barrier to radiation, absorbing the radiation before it can pass through to the patient's body. This is essential in protecting sensitive organs and tissues from unnecessary exposure, thereby reducing the risk of potential harmful effects, such as radiation burns or an increased likelihood of developing radiation-induced conditions, including cancer.

In medical imaging, it is standard practice to use lead aprons and thyroid shields, especially in high-risk areas or during procedures that require higher doses of radiation. By blocking or absorbing the stray radiation, lead shields can significantly lower the dose that the patient receives, ensuring a safer diagnostic process.

The other choices do not align with safety practices aimed at minimizing radiation exposure. Prolonged imaging sessions would likely increase exposure rather than minimize it. Allowing unrestricted access to radiation areas would pose significant safety risks, as it could allow individuals to be exposed to harmful levels of radiation without appropriate protective measures. Lastly, using high radiation doses contradicts the principle of "as low as reasonably achievable" (ALARA), which emphasizes keeping radiation exposure to the minimum necessary for obtaining quality diagnostic images.