What can be done to reduce the risk of proximity burn?

To reduce the risk of proximity burn during an MRI procedure, placing a pad between a patient's arms and the side of the bore is an effective measure. This practice is aimed at minimizing direct skin contact with the bore wall, which can become warm due to the electromagnetic and radiofrequency energy used during the scan. The padding serves as a barrier, helping to insulate the skin from the heat generated and increasing patient comfort, effectively lowering the risk of thermal injury.

This technique is particularly important in ensuring the patient's safety, as proximity burns can occur when parts of the body are in close contact with heated surfaces or materials.

The other options do not provide the same level of protection or mitigation of risk. While placing a towel might provide some cushioning, it generally does not offer as effective an insulative barrier as a dedicated pad would. The notion that burns cannot be remedied disregards practical interventions and preventive measures that can be taken. Lastly, using cold compresses could offer temporary relief after a burn occurs, but it does not address the proactive steps needed to prevent the burn from happening in the first place.