The most basic exam can prove to be the most difficult of
challenges in your day if you've ever had an uncooperative
child. Depending on the age of your patient, different
approaches can be made. Before the patient and/or parent arrives
in the room, you should have all equipment set up in advance.
Make sure to have an extra lead apron for a parent if they wish
to remain in the room with the child. I always like to encourage
this except when the physical presence of the parent seems to
make the child more combative. You should always attempt the
exam without immobilization first. This doesn't mean you need to
make a bad exposure. Use your judgement about the quality of
your radiograph before you commit to the attempt. Better to try
unsuccessfully without a radiation dose than to settle on a sub-
par quality film and end up repeating anyways. Be sure to
communicate with the parent about immobilization techniques and
requirements of the procedure. This may encourage better parent
participation because they just w