Which of the following actions will reduce patient heating?

Reducing patient heating during an MRI scan is essential for patient safety and comfort. One effective method is to reduce the number of slices acquired during the imaging procedure. When fewer slices are obtained, less radiofrequency (RF) energy is deposited into the patient's tissue, ultimately minimizing the risk of temperature increases. This is because each slice results in RF pulsing that contributes to heating. By decreasing the number of slices, the cumulative exposure to RF energy is lessened, which leads to a lower chance of excessive thermal effects.

Other factors that might affect heating include the field of view, flip angles, and receiving bandwidth. However, reducing the number of slices directly correlates with decreasing RF energy exposure, making it the most straightforward and efficient method to reduce heating during an MRI procedure. This aligns with safety protocols and the overall aim of ensuring patient welfare during diagnostic imaging.