Final answer:
Patient restraints in medical imaging are used to ensure safety and image clarity by preventing movement. They can range from tape to vests and are part of various imaging modalities, each with specific protocols for radiation protection, such as lead aprons in X-ray based imaging and safety measures for PET scans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of patient restraints in medical imaging often relates to ensuring patient safety and image clarity. Restraints might be implemented before the patient arrives, especially if they need to be secured during transit to radiology departments. Using tape for a child during a hand study or a vest with straps tied to a stretcher are examples of restraints used to minimize patient movement and improve image quality. Within imaging, protective measures such as lead aprons and shielding are crucial to limit exposure to radiation. Techniques such as MRI use radio waves and magnets, posing no danger of radiation exposure, making restraints unnecessary for radiation protection but potentially for patient steadiness. Conversely, CT scans employ X-ray radiation, and PET scans use radioactive substances for imaging purposes. Both require safety protocols to protect from radiation exposure. In any imaging procedure, the effective dose of radiation must be managed to reduce risk while obtaining high-quality images for diagnosis.