1.
The major risk of injury or harm due to a magnet quench is:
Correct Answer
A. The boiling off of cryogens that creates an aspHyxiating steam
Explanation
If a quench occurs, everyone must be removed from the room immediately. The vapors and gases are very cold and can cause frost-bite. They also often condense the moisture in air, creating a highly visible fog that can replace oxygen in the room.
2.
All of the following statements about the magnet of the MRI scanner are true EXCEPT:
Correct Answer
C. The fringe field is confined to the magnet bore
Explanation
The magnetic field can extend many feet from the inner bore of the magnet. Rooms are shielded to contain the field as much as possible. Remember the magnet is always on even when a scan is not initiated. The main magnetic field of a 3T system is 60,000 times the earth's magnet field. We must also limit the items that go into the scan room to non-ferrous metals.
3.
Patients with which of the following prosthetic devices may be safely scanned:
Correct Answer
D. Total knee replacement
Explanation
The following items can NEVER be allowed into the scanning room:
cardiac pacemakers, cochlear (inner ear) implants, ferromagnetic or unidentifiable aneurysm clips of the brain, implanted neuro stimulators, metal or unidentifiable foreign bodies in the eyes, and implanted pumps to deliver medicine that cannot be removed.
If a subject works around metal and cannot say for sure they have never had any metal in their eyes the study should be canceled.
4.
The emergency shutdown button should be used to immediately cut power to the scanner electrical system in each of the following situations EXCEPT:
Correct Answer
D. The subject in the scanner squeezes the emergency ball
Explanation
Shutting power to the PDU may be required for life threatening situations such as:
Fire in the computer room, fire, sparks, loud noises emanating from the scan room, flooding or sprinkling system goes off, and catastrophic equipment failure. These reasons should be life threatening. It is important to remember that pressing the emergency stop button shuts the power to the scanner to but the magnetic field is still active.
5.
With regard to metal objects in the scan room:
Correct Answer
C. Metallic objects may be tested for ferromagnetism by the technologist with a hand-held magnet; if not ferromagnetic, they may be allowed in the scan room
Explanation
Small items like paper clips or hair pins can have a velocity of about 40mph in a 3T environment. Larger objects have even higher velocities and have become fatal. Many types of clinical equipment are ferromagnetic and should never be brought into the scan room. If there is any question a handheld magnet can be used to test if an object is ferromagnetic or not.
6.
In which of the following situations should you push the “Quench” button:
Correct Answer
A. A steel oxygen tank was brought into the scan room and has flown across the room and stuck to the magnet, pinning someone’s arm in a painful crush
Explanation
An intentional quench is done in an emergency to run the magnetic field to zero. This is done in extreme emergencies only (ex- a projectile that is pinning a patient against the magnet, injuring them).
7.
Before beginning to scan a subject, you should:
Correct Answer
D. All of the answers are true
Explanation
You must check each subject for contra-indications they might have before allowing them into the scan room. Once the patient is on the table it is very important you get them as comfortable as possible. The MR scanner can produce very high acoustic noise levels that can cause discomfort. Before you start your protocol make sure you open the lines of communication so the patient knows you can hear them in case of an emergency.
8.
Which of the following is a likely consequence of forgetting to remove your wallet from your pocket before entering the scan room:
Correct Answer
B. The magnetic stripes on your credit cards and ATM cards are erased
Explanation
The magnetic field can seriously damage or impair the following personal items:
Cameras, watches, credit and bank cards, hearing aids, hair accessories, belt buckles, shoes and I-pods just to name a few. Please remember to empty ALL of your pockets before entering the scanning room.
9.
If your patient complains of a body ache, dizziness or anxiety (including claustrophobia) during the middle of the scan, you should:
Correct Answer
C. Talk to your patient and remove them from the magnet if they cannot go on
Explanation
Routine communication between you and your subject is very important so they know you can hear them if an emergency should arise. The emergency stop button and quench button should only be pressed is a life threatening emergency.
10.
Which of the following objects are potential projectiles?
Correct Answer
D. Clipboard
Explanation
Some examples of items that can become projectiles are: Scissors, hair clips and bobby pins, tools, paperclips and clapboards.
11.
What is a Quench?
Correct Answer
D. A rapid boil off of cryogens and ultimate loss of a magnetic field
Explanation
MR scanners are super cooled with inert gases such as helium. A quench is the rapid boiling off of these cryogens intentionally or unintentionally.
12.
There are two real safety concerns with regard to the magnetic forces and how they interact with ferrous objects. They can be described as which of the following:
Correct Answer
C. Translation and Torque of the object
Explanation
Translation describes the force that attracts ferrous objects to the center of the magnetic field. It is sometimes referred to as the projectile effect. Rotation is the term that relates to the force of the North and South poles and the orientation of the scanner’s magnetic field. Ferrous objects will attempt to align their long axes with this orientation and will rotate until they are aligned with the magnetic field.
13.
In the event your subject is in some type of medical distress, what is the first thing you should do?
Correct Answer
D. Call 911, remove the patient from the scanning room immediately
Explanation
Should a condition exist where the patient is having a medical emergency, every effort should be made to remove the patient from the scan room. Once the patient is removed from the MR scan room, close the door to prevent re-entry. If you cannot remove the patient remember the magnet is always on. Under no circumstances should anyone be allowed to enter the scan room without proper screening!
14.
To reduce the effects of peripheral nerve stimulation:
Correct Answer
A. Have the subject uncross their extremities
Explanation
When a patient crosses their legs or intertwines their fingers a circuit is formed and it is more likely to cause peripheral nerve stimulation.
15.
The main hazard of the Static Field is:
Correct Answer
B. Objects becoming projectiles
Explanation
Heat deposition and nerve stimulation are hazards of a varying magnetic field.
16.
If there is ever a Quench in the scan room instead of the outside environment, you must remove the patient and all staff from the room immediately. What is the safety concerns?
Correct Answer
A. AspHyxiation and frost bite
Explanation
If a quench occurs, everyone must be removed from the room immediately. The vapors and gases are very cold and can cause frostbite. They also often condense the moisture in air, creating a highly visible fog that can replace oxygen in the room.
17.
What does SAR measure?
Correct Answer
B. The amount of heat the patient will absorb during the scan
Explanation
Dissipation of the absorbed RF energy is described in terms of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), measured in watts/kg. SAR is calculated by the patient’s weight and the expected increase in body temperature for each imaging pulse sequence. The scanner will calculate how much heat the patient will be absorbed if it is too high the scan will not run.
18.
What is the unit for measurement of magnetic field strength?
Correct Answer
C. Both Gauss and Tesla
Explanation
Magnetic fields are measured in units of Gauss or Tesla (1T = 10,000G).
19.
If an object is considered safe to be used in a 1.5Tesla MR scanner, but has not been tested in a 3Tesla scanner, it should be labeled as:
Correct Answer
B. Not sure, more research should be done
Explanation
A 3T magnet is double the strength of a 1.5T unit. It is important to remember that objects that are clear for a 1.5T magnet cannot go into a 3T magnet. Mrisafety.com has the largest database of items that are cleared for the 3T environment.
20.
If a volunteer states she could be pregnant you should:
Correct Answer
D. Cancel the exam until she can be sure she is not pregnant
Explanation
Unless your research patient can say for certain they are not pregnant they cannot go into the scanner until they know for sure that they are not pregnant. If a research subject is pregnant the exam must be canceled regardless of trimester.
21.
If the operating computer shut down and unplugged, the magnetic field is off and any materials, regardless for their ferromagnetic qualities can be brought into the scanning room.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The magnet is always on 24hrs/7days unless a quench has been initiated.
22.
What is the strength of the scanned at the SCAN Center?
Correct Answer
C. 3T
Explanation
We have a Siemens 3T Trio Scanner. 3T machines are double the strength of 1.5T machines. It is important to remember that if an object/implant has been cleared for a 1.5T machine it does not mean it is ok for a 3T machine. Further research must be done.
23.
If you are not sure the ferromagnetic qualities of an object you should:
Correct Answer
B. Check it with a hand held magnet
Explanation
The SCAN center has a .7T hand held magnet you can use to check the magnetic susceptibility of an object. If you still have questions please ask the MRI technologist to assist you. The SCAN Center staff has final say on what may or may not be brought into the scanning environment.
24.
Every subject can choose if they would like to wear ear plugs, head set, both or nothing during the scan. It's up to each individual.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The MRI scanner produces very high acoustic noise, which can reach excess of 130 DbA. Everyone who is scanned must wear both ear plugs and headset during the exam.
25.
Who needs to be cleared before they enter the MRI scanning room?
Correct Answer
E. All of the above
Explanation
Because the scanner's magnetic field is always on anyone who steps into the scanning room must be cleared by the SCAN Center's staff. Clearance forms can be found on our web site http://www.psychology.sunysb.edu/scancenter/. Anyone who has not been cleared should stay out of the controlled access areas marked by warning signs.
26.
If a subject says there might be a possibility they could be pregnant but is not 100% sure, they can be scanned.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
A female subject needs to be 100% sure they are NOT pregnant to be scanned at the center.
27.
A subject checks the box that they have tattoos, the next step is to:
Correct Answer
D. Explain that in rare cases tattoos can tingle or burn and let them know if they are not comfortable in continuing they can back out of the study
Explanation
Since there have been documented cases of tattoos burning the skin you must let them know there is a small chance of this. At that time they can back out of the study if they want. If they do feel a strange sensation during the scan have them squeeze the emergency ball as soon as possible and apply a cold compress to the area. The study is complete at this time.
28.
Which of the following items must be removed before going into the scanning room?
Correct Answer(s)
A. Sissors
B. Wallet
D. Hair pins
F. Watches
Explanation
Before going into the scanning room, certain items must be removed for security reasons. These include scissors, as they can be considered a potential weapon. Wallets should also be removed to ensure that they do not interfere with the scanning process or cause any confusion. Hair pins should be taken out as they can set off metal detectors or cause discomfort during the scan. Watches should be removed to avoid any interference with the scanning equipment.
29.
The magnetic field is contained entirely in the center of the bore, it does not extend to the outside environment
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
All magnets have a fringe field that extends from the center of the magnet. Rooms are shielded as much as possible to contain this field but only people who have been cleared by the SCAN Center should be allowed in the controlled access areas of the center.
30.
A research volunteer tells you they have been scanned many times for clinical reasons so there is no reason to re-evaluate this subject and they are cleared to enter the scanning room.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
Implants and objects that are cleared for a 1.5T machine does not mean they are cleared for a 3T machine since it is twice the strength. Also some radiological exams resemble the MRI scanner, for example many times patients confuse MRI with CT.
31.
You need to assign a scan number, you will need:
Correct Answer
D. All of the above
Explanation
To assign a scan number, you will need the last scan number and then add one to it. Additionally, you will need the PI's initials and the last volunteer number. Therefore, all of the above options are required to assign a scan number accurately.
32.
Scan numbers look like
Correct Answer
C. Scan number_subject number_investigator's initals
Explanation
The given answer suggests that the format for scan numbers includes the scan number, subject number, and investigator's initials. This format is likely used to identify and organize scans in a research or medical setting. The inclusion of the subject number helps to differentiate between different individuals or cases, while the investigator's initials provide information about the person responsible for the scan.
33.
If a subject squeezes the emergency ball, you:
Correct Answer
B. Stop the scan, turn off the alarm and check in with the subject over the speaker
34.
True or false - these are the things you will need to set up the subject on the table:- Correct coil
- Knee pad under knees
- Ear plugs and/or head set
- Vitamin on left side of head
- Mirror so they can see the entire projection screen
- Emergency ball
- Response box (if needed)
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
Vitamin should be on RIGHT side of head
35.
Select the ones you like
Correct Answer
A. Option1
Explanation
The correct answer is Option1. This suggests that out of the given options, Option1 is the preferred choice or the one that is most liked.
36.
After the scan is done you:
Correct Answer
C. Push study to KPACS and check all images have transfered
Explanation
KPACS is the SCAN Center server, this is the correct answer. PACS is the hospital server, only clinical studies go there.
37.
While scanning you see an abnormal growth in the brain, you:
Correct Answer
D. Make a note of it for the technologist to have a incidental finding read, say nothing to the subject
Explanation
The correct answer is to make a note of the abnormal growth for the technologist to have it reviewed as an incidental finding, without informing the subject. As a non-physician, it is not the responsibility to immediately inform the subject or take any action. The abnormal growth should be properly evaluated by a medical professional before any conclusions or actions are taken.
38.
Here are the steps to turning off the scanner
Correct Answer
B. Close the subject, go to the system-end session-system shut down and wait for scanner to let you know to switch power off
Explanation
The correct answer suggests that the user should close the subject, go to the system-end session-system shut down, and wait for the scanner to indicate when to switch off the power. This implies that there is a specific process or sequence that needs to be followed in order to safely turn off the scanner. Simply pressing the system off button or turning off the scanner immediately is not recommended. The user should wait for the scanner to give instructions before switching off the power.
39.
When you turn off the projector you should use the remote to turn off the lights and then wait 2-5 minutes for the fan to cool down the lamp before shutting off the main power
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
It is important to use the remote to turn off the lights when turning off the projector because it ensures that the proper sequence of shutting down the equipment is followed. By waiting for 2-5 minutes for the fan to cool down the lamp before shutting off the main power, it allows the lamp to cool down gradually, preventing any potential damage to the projector. Therefore, the statement is true.
40.
The subject comes in with glasses and cannot see without them, you:
Correct Answer
C. Use the MRI safe glasses, fit them by testing out one at a time
Explanation
The glasses are located in bottom left most cabinet