Which of the following must be used on children and potentially procreative patients, when applicable, if it does not interfere with the diagnosis?

Gonad shielding is crucial in medical imaging, particularly for children and potentially procreative patients, to minimize radiation exposure to sensitive reproductive organs. Since these groups are more susceptible to the harmful effects of radiation, the practice of using gonad shields helps to protect against unnecessary radiation, while still allowing for accurate diagnoses.

When applicable, using gonad shielding is essential and should be prioritized in imaging protocols unless it interferes with the diagnostic quality of the procedure. This approach ensures patient safety while allowing healthcare providers to obtain the necessary information.

In contrast, while grids and thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) have their own important roles in radiography, they do not specifically address the need to protect reproductive organs from radiation exposure in the same targeted way that gonad shielding does. A grid is often used to improve image quality by reducing scatter radiation, and TLDs are primarily for measuring radiation dose but do not have a direct protective function. Therefore, the focus on gonad shielding in this context is particularly significant for the safety of vulnerable populations.