What instruction is given to the patient during the lateral lumbosacral spot procedure?

During the lateral lumbosacral spot procedure, the instruction for the patient to take a deep breath in, breathe out, and hold is essential for achieving an optimal image quality. Holding the breath stabilizes the diaphragm and surrounding structures, reducing motion artifacts that can obscure the details of the lumbosacral region. This instruction allows for a clearer and more precise image by minimizing movement that occurs from regular breathing.

In the context of this procedure, other options do not align with the best practice for obtaining high-quality diagnostic images. Encouraging the patient to remain motionless is important, but specifying how to do this through breath control is more effective. Breathing naturally without holding may lead to movement during the exposure, compromising the image quality. Taking several deep breaths prior to the procedure does not serve the same purpose as the instructed breath-hold technique, as it could result in increased respiratory motion during imaging. Therefore, the instruction to take a deep breath in, breathe out, and hold directly addresses the need for stability during the imaging process, resulting in superior diagnostic outcomes.