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Understanding your MRI Examination
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Shaun D Bowden
has been involved with nursing education and organisational wide
training for over a decade in hospitals and tertiary institutes
of education. He currently works as Head of Nursing Education at
Mafraq Hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE and as the Programme Director
for CME activities for the Dept of Nursing GAHS Abu Dhabi. In
1997 he was conferred his Masters of Nursing degree in Advanced
Practice in Australia, and holds further qualifications in
teaching and management. |
What is a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Examination?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a medical technology that uses a powerful magnet, radio waves and a sophisticated computer system. The pictures will provide your doctor with important information on certain types of body tissue (internal organs, joints, brain and spine) and help to detect and define the difference between healthy and diseased tissue.
How do I prepare for my MRI Scan?
 On the day of your MRI scan, you may eat normally and take any prescribed medication.
Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes earlier than your appointment.
When you arrive, a nurse will review material filed and signed by your referring doctor and will ask questions regarding medical and surgical history.
It is very important to inform the MRI staff if you have any metal implants in your body, a doctor will decide if you can be safely scanned.
You will be asked to remove all metallic items from your body, such as watches, jewelry, hairpins, eyeglasses, and hearing aids. Also, do not take any credit, bank, or parking cards with you into the examination room as the scanner will erase the information recorded on the metallic strip. A locker for your belongings may be provided.
If you have MRI of your head or orbits, you may be asked to remove eye make-up as sometimes these contain a metal ingredient.
You will then change into a hospital gown and proceed to the exam room.
What can I expect during the MRI Scan?
The scan may be performed by an MRI technologist, but always under the supervision of the radiologist. Once in the scan room, you will be asked to lie comfortably on a padded table, generally on your back, arms by the sides. The table will then slide into the magnet.
During the scan, it is important to hold very still, as movement will cause blurring of the pictures. Throughout the entire examination, you will be able to speak to the MRI staff via an intercom, they will talk with you frequently during your scan, explaining the procedure each step of the way. If you need assistance during the scan, an emergency alarm is being provided.
When the scanner is operating, you will hear a loud thumping noise, this is normal and you will be advised about ear protection.
How long will the MRI Scan take?
Each MRI is different, however, most examinations take approximately 30 minutes.
After the scan is completed, you can dress, leave the unit and you may resume your normal daily activities.
Some examinations require the use of a contrast medium to give more MRI details in particular clinical situations, this will be injected into a vein in your arm midway through the scan, it should cause you no problems.
You may be instructed to be fasting for about 4 hours in certain examinations.
How do I prepare for my MRI Scan?
The images produced by MRI will be printed and reviewed by a radiologist later and report will be sent to your doctor within a few days of your exam, he/she will give you the results of the scan.
How much MRI scan will cost?
An MRI is a diagnostic procedure and therefore many government and private hospitals and clinics charge fees for these procedures. It is important to ask before you have any procedure if there are any charges, as these can range from a few dirhams to thousands depending on the facility and the type of procedure.
Nursing in Gulf Hospitals - Dr.Shaun's interview with gulfmd
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