Which of the following is a method to minimize patient entrance dose in fluoroscopy?

Increasing the distance from the source is a well-established method to minimize patient entrance dose in fluoroscopy. This principle is rooted in the inverse square law, which states that the intensity of radiation is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. In simpler terms, as the distance from the radiation source increases, the exposure rate decreases significantly. This means that by maintaining a greater distance, the patient's exposure to radiation can be reduced substantially, leading to lower entrance doses.

In contrast, while using higher kVp settings can improve image quality by increasing penetration and decreasing the needed mA, it doesn't inherently reduce the entrance dose from the patient's perspective apart from potentially reducing exposure time. Decreasing mA settings can lower dose rates but may lead to poorer image quality, which might ultimately require longer exposures to obtain adequate imaging. Avoiding protective equipment is contrary to patient safety practices and does not contribute to minimizing entrance dose; instead, protective measures are essential for safeguarding both patients and medical personnel from unnecessary exposure.