Which of the following best describes protective measures for a pregnant worker performing radiologic procedures?

• A. Written declaration, reassignment to lower-exposure duties, enhanced dosimetry, shielding, dose optimization.
• B. Written declaration, reassignment, enhanced dosimetry, shielding, dose optimization, and possibly removal from high-dose tasks.
• C. No changes; continue as normal.
• D. Only use PPE and proceed with same tasks.

Answer: (B)

Minimizing fetal radiation exposure requires a layered approach that blends administrative actions, monitoring, shielding, and dose-reduction strategies. The best choice reflects all of these safeguards: the worker makes a formal written declaration to inform the radiation protection program, is reassigned to duties with lower exposure, benefits from enhanced dosimetry that more accurately tracks potential fetal dose, uses shielding to protect the abdomen, and adopts dose optimization to keep exposures as low as reasonably achievable. If even these measures don’t keep the fetal dose within safe limits, removal from high-dose tasks is appropriate. This combination ensures comprehensive protection for the fetus through administrative controls, better monitoring, physical shielding, and procedural optimization.

Options that omit removal from high-dose tasks or rely on minimal changes fail to guarantee fetal protection, while continuing as normal or relying only on PPE without administrative and optimization measures does not adequately reduce risk.