Final answer:
In fluoroscopy, the x-rays that pass through the patient hit the fluorescent screen of the image intensifier, which converts them into a visible image. Shielding and refinements in x-ray techniques are critical for reducing radiation exposure to patients and healthcare providers.
Step-by-step explanation:
In fluoroscopy, those x-rays which penetrate and exit the patient (remnant radiation) strike the image intensifier's fluorescent screen. This is an essential part of the imaging process in modern medical imaging. As x-rays pass through the patient, they are attenuated by different tissues to varying degrees. When these remnant x-rays reach the fluorescent screen of the image intensifier, they cause it to emit light. This light is then captured and transformed into an image that can be viewed by the healthcare provider.
It is important to employ proper shielding techniques, such as lead aprons and lead-lined doors with glass windows, to protect both the patient and the technician from unnecessary exposure to ionizing radiation. Fast films and other refinements in x-ray techniques help to limit the time needed to obtain images, thereby reducing exposure.