FREE MRSO Emergency and Quench Procedures Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient experiences a cardiac arrest while on the table inside the MR scanner bore. What is the most critical immediate action for the MR staff to perform?

Accepted Answer

Remove the patient from the scanner and evacuate them from Zone IV to a designated safe area.

Answer

Press the emergency quench button to eliminate the magnetic field.

Answer

Immediately begin chest compressions while the patient is in the bore.

Answer

Call a 'code blue' and allow the hospital's emergency response team to enter Zone IV with their equipment.

Question 2

During a spontaneous magnet quench, a large white cloud of gas is observed venting into the scanner room due to a quench pipe failure. What is the primary and most immediate life-threatening hazard to personnel in the room?

Accepted Answer

Asphyxiation due to displacement of oxygen by helium gas.

Answer

Exposure to the powerful, rapidly collapsing magnetic field.

Answer

Severe frostbite from contact with super-cooled surfaces.

Answer

The loud noise causing acoustic trauma to the eardrums.

Question 3

Which of the following scenarios is the only universally accepted justification for intentionally pressing the emergency magnet rundown ('quench') button?

Accepted Answer

A large, ferromagnetic oxygen tank has pinned a person against the magnet, posing an imminent threat to their life.

Answer

A fire is detected in the MR equipment room (Zone II).

Answer

A patient with an un-cleared implant begins to complain of severe pain during a scan.

Answer

The MRI console computer has malfunctioned, and the scan cannot be aborted through normal means.

Question 4

A small fire breaks out on a piece of electronic equipment inside the magnet room (Zone IV). Which type of fire extinguisher is specifically designed and rated as MR Conditional for use in this environment?

Accepted Answer

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) or Water Mist extinguisher.

Answer

Standard ABC dry chemical extinguisher.

Answer

Pressurized water extinguisher.

Answer

Class D combustible metal extinguisher.

Question 5

Immediately following an emergency quench, what is the most important safety assumption that an MRSO must enforce until the field has been measured by a qualified engineer?

Accepted Answer

A significant residual magnetic field may still be present, and projectile risks remain.

Answer

The main magnetic field is completely gone and the room is safe for all personnel and equipment.

Answer

There is a high risk of electrical shock from the gradient coils.

Answer

The RF shielding of the room has been permanently damaged.

Question 6

An MR technologist accidentally brings a ferromagnetic mop bucket into Zone IV, and it becomes a projectile, pinning their leg against the scanner housing without causing immediate, life-threatening injury. The technologist is conscious but trapped. What should be the MRSO's first course of action?

Accepted Answer

Clear the room of non-essential personnel and begin controlled ramp-down procedures with the manufacturer's service engineer if possible.

Answer

Immediately press the emergency quench button to release the technologist.

Answer

Call 911 and wait for the fire department to arrive and remove the object.

Answer

Attempt to manually pull the bucket off the magnet with the help of other staff.