Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) Practice Test

What is one disadvantage of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) regarding its use with certain patients?

1. It produces high radiation exposure

2. It cannot be used with clients who have pacemakers

3. It requires the patient to stay completely still

4. It is not applicable for diagnosing soft tissue issues

The correct answer is: It cannot be used with clients who have pacemakers

The assertion that one disadvantage of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is its incompatibility with patients who have pacemakers is accurate due to the fundamental working principles of MRI technology. MRI machines generate strong magnetic fields, which can interfere with the functioning of pacemakers and other implanted medical devices that contain ferromagnetic materials. The strong magnetic forces can potentially dislodge the components of a pacemaker or disrupt its function, posing serious health risks to the patient. The requirement for patients with pacemakers to avoid MRI underscores the importance of assessing medical history and device compatibility prior to the imaging. This limitation highlights the need for alternative imaging modalities in patients with such devices. On the other hand, the other options provided do not represent significant disadvantages of MRI. For instance, MRI does not produce high radiation exposure since it utilizes magnetic fields and radio waves instead of ionizing radiation. The requirement for patients to remain still during the procedure is a baseline expectation in many imaging processes, not a unique limitation. While MRI is particularly adept at evaluating soft tissue, stating that it is not applicable for diagnosing soft tissue issues is inaccurate, as MRI is renowned for its superior capacity to visualize soft tissue structures compared to other imaging technologies.