What effect does increasing the target-to-skin distance have on patient dose?

Increasing the target-to-skin distance (TSD) has a direct effect on the amount of radiation dose a patient receives during a fluoroscopic procedure. When the TSD is increased, the X-ray beam has to travel a greater distance before reaching the patient's skin. This increased distance leads to a reduction in the intensity of the radiation that ultimately impacts the tissue, as the intensity of X-ray radiation decreases with distance due to the inverse square law.

The inverse square law states that the intensity of radiation is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. Therefore, as the target-to-skin distance increases, the amount of radiation exposure to the patient's skin decreases, resulting in a lower patient dose. This is a fundamental principle in radiation safety and dose management, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a longer distance from the radiation source wherever possible to minimize exposure.

Understanding the relationship between target-to-skin distance and patient dose is crucial for practitioners in fluoroscopy to optimize safety and efficacy, and the correct answer reflects this knowledge accurately.