MRI MRI Patient Care and Positioning

Question 1

Which coil type provides the best signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for a specific small anatomy because it is placed closest to the structure?

Accepted Answer

Surface coil

Answer

Surface coils are placed directly over the anatomy of interest; their proximity maximizes SNR for superficial or small structures compared to larger volume coils.

Question 2

When positioning a patient for a lumbar spine MRI, the technologist should place the patient in which position to reduce lumbar lordosis and improve image quality?

Accepted Answer

Supine with knees flexed and supported by a foam wedge

Answer

Flexing the knees with a foam wedge support flattens lumbar lordosis, reducing the curvature and aligning disc spaces parallel to axial slices for optimal visualization.

Question 3

A patient is claustrophobic and anxious before their MRI. Which non-pharmacological intervention is most appropriate first?

Accepted Answer

Explain the procedure, offer a patient communication system, and consider feet-first entry

Answer

Thorough patient education, reassurance, mirror/prism glasses, music headphones, and entering the bore feet-first can significantly reduce claustrophobia before pharmacological intervention.

Question 4

IV line tubing and monitoring cables used inside the MRI suite must be:

Accepted Answer

MR-conditional equipment specifically rated for use in the magnetic field

Answer

All equipment used within the MRI environment must be labeled MR-conditional or MR Safe to prevent projectile events, burns, or device malfunction.

Question 5

For MRI of the shoulder, the patient should be positioned with the arm in which orientation to best center the glenohumeral joint?

Accepted Answer

Arm at the side in neutral or slight external rotation, shoulder centered in the coil

Answer

Positioning the shoulder with the arm at the side in neutral or slight external rotation and centering the glenohumeral joint within the dedicated shoulder coil optimizes image quality.

MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging Practice Test

MRI - Magnetic Resonance Imaging Practice Test

MRI MRI Patient Care and Positioning