To decrease patient dose during a fluoroscopic procedure on a pediatric patient, the operator should?

Removing the grid is a strategy that can help decrease patient dose during fluoroscopic procedures, particularly in pediatric patients. Grids are used to improve image quality by reducing scatter radiation, but they also require an increase in the radiation dose to achieve the same level of image quality. In pediatric patients, who are particularly sensitive to radiation, reducing this dose is crucial. By removing the grid, the operator may be able to obtain acceptable image quality at a lower dose, thus minimizing exposure to the patient.

Increasing the mA settings, using a higher grid ratio, or extending the procedure time would potentially lead to higher doses of radiation for the patient. Increasing mA directly increases the radiation output, while a higher grid ratio also requires increased dose to maintain image quality. Extending procedure time further increases exposure to radiation, making it counterproductive when the goal is to decrease patient dose. Thus, removing the grid is the most effective choice for reducing patient dose in this scenario.