Which protective equipment helps shield the thyroid during fluoroscopic procedures?

• A. The thyroid gland and nearby sensitive tissues.
• B. The brain and heart.
• C. The lungs only.
• D. The kidneys.

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that the thyroid is particularly radiosensitive and sits right in the neck where scatter radiation from fluoroscopy can reach it. The protective equipment designed for this area is a lead thyroid collar (thyroid shield) that fits around the neck to cover the thyroid gland. By absorbing a large portion of the x-ray energy before it reaches the neck, this shield reduces the radiation dose to the thyroid and nearby tissues, helping prevent radiation-induced thyroid injury or disease. That’s why shielding the thyroid region specifically is the purpose of this protective equipment.

Other organs like the brain, heart, lungs, or kidneys aren’t the target of the thyroid collar. They require different protective measures or are in positions where a neck shield wouldn’t provide protection.