Which practice would most effectively reduce radiation exposure during mobile radiography?

Utilizing proper collimation and shielding is the most effective practice for reducing radiation exposure during mobile radiography. Collimation is the process of restricting the x-ray beam to the area of interest, which helps minimize the amount of radiation that reaches surrounding tissues. By confining the beam to the targeted area, unnecessary exposure to adjacent body parts is significantly reduced, resulting in lower overall radiation dose to the patient.

Furthermore, the use of appropriate shielding—such as lead aprons or other protective barriers—adds an additional layer of safety, particularly for personnel and bystanders. This comprehensive approach not only protects the patient but also contributes to the safety of healthcare workers who may be present during the procedure.

While using the lowest possible mAs and increasing the Source-to-Image Distance (SID) can reduce radiation exposure, they are not as effective as the combined strategies of proper collimation and shielding. Low mAs settings can lead to image quality issues if not combined with adequate techniques, and while increasing SID does reduce radiation intensity, it is not always feasible or practical in mobile settings. Thus, ensuring proper collimation and shielding stands out as the most effective method in this context.