Which method should be used to minimize patient exposure during x-ray procedures?

Using a rectangular collimator is the best method to minimize patient exposure during x-ray procedures. A rectangular collimator restricts the size and shape of the x-ray beam to cover only the area of interest, which reduces the amount of radiation that reaches surrounding tissues. By limiting the exposure area, it decreases unnecessary radiation dose to the patient while also maintaining image quality. This practice is essential for ensuring both patient safety and effective diagnostic imaging.

In contrast, increasing the lead in protective clothing does not significantly reduce the amount of radiation exposure to the patient, as its primary purpose is to protect the personnel administering the x-ray. Positioning the patient closer to the x-ray source can actually increase exposure due to the inverse square law, which states that radiation intensity decreases with the square of the distance from the source. Lastly, using slower film speeds is generally not an effective method for minimizing exposure; while it may enhance image quality, it can require higher radiation doses to achieve the necessary contrast and resolution, thus potentially increasing patient exposure.