A wоmаn whо is 3 mоnths pregnаnt hаs been in a motor vehicle accident. The emergency room physician suspects there is injury to her cervical spine and thus feels justified in ordering an x-ray examination to aid in determining the extent of the patient’s injury. Because the patient is pregnant, the radiographer should: 1. select the lowest exposure factors that will produce a diagnostically useful radiograph. 2. adequately and precisely collimate the radiographic beam to include only the anatomic area of interest. 3. shield the patient’s lower abdomen and pelvic region with a suitable protective contact shield.