Final answer:
Fluoroscopy equipment safety features, such as the dead-man switch, cumulative timer, and audible exposure signal, play vital roles in protecting both patients and healthcare professionals from unnecessary radiation exposure. Lead collimators and shielding are additional safety components.
Step-by-step explanation:
The safety features of fluoroscopy equipment are designed to minimize radiation exposure to both the patient and the operator. Some of the key safety features include:
- Dead-man switch: A control switch that requires continuous pressure by the operator, ensuring that exposure stops immediately if the operator releases the button.
- Cumulative timer: A timer that tracks the total exposure time, alerting the operator to minimize prolonged radiation exposure during procedures.
- Audible exposure signal: A sound alert that activates during an exposure, helping to maintain awareness of radiation use.
Other safety components not mentioned in the options but crucial in practice are lead collimators, which narrow the beam of radiation to the area of interest, reducing scatter and exposure to surrounding tissues, and shielding, such as lead aprons, to protect areas not being imaged.