Which examinations require the use of gonad shielding for male patients unless an x-ray supervisor specifically requests shielding not be used?

• A. 1 and 2
• B. 1 and 3
• C. 2 and 3
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (D)

Gonad shielding is used to reduce radiation dose to the testes because these organs are highly radiosensitive. For any radiographic study where the gonads would lie in or near the primary beam, shielding is applied by default to minimize dose, as long as shielding does not obscure essential diagnostic information. In the three examinations described, the gonads would be exposed by the imaging field, so shielding male patients is indicated unless a supervisor specifically requests that shielding not be used for a clinical reason. That makes all three examinations require shielding, hence the choice indicating all three.