如何用英文向病人解释MRI并告知注意事项

小白老师说：MRI has become the preferred procedure for diagnosing a large number of potential problems in many different parts of the body. It’s quite a skill for doctors to explain** to patients what MRI is used for, how safe it is and prepare them for an MRI.

How do you prepare patients for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)?

Patient safety tips prior to the procedure

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MRI is safer than X-rays because it does not use radiation. It provides more information than Computed Tomography about some head, neck and spinal disorders because the images are more detailed and have more contrast, meaning the differences between dark and light areas are stronger. Unlike CT, the images can be taken on any plane—any surface of the body seen from an angle. It is now used for imaging—taking images of—the brain and heart, and in oncology.

You will need to have completed a safety questionnaire and have it with you. It is important that there is no metal on your clothing or person. Prior to the scan you can eat and drink normally. Your details and safety questionnaire will be checked with you by the radiographer, who will explain the procedure and answer any questions you may have. You will be asked to remove any metallic objects, as well as credit cards.

Other Tips

1. Please leave your valuables at home, including jewelry, to prevent it from being lost or stolen, for they have to be removed prior to entering the scan room.

2. If you don’t want to change into hospital attire, please wear cotton clothing without any metal zippers, hooks, or buttons.

3. Please let us know if you need interpreting services, this can be arranged for you.

4. Please bring a list of your current medications.

5. If you have claustrophobia, your doctor may prescribe an oral medication for you to take with you for your MRI appointment.

How do you explain to a patient what happens during the MRI scan?

The duration of the procedure will vary but the average is 45 minutes to one hour per body part.

You will be required to lie still during the actual MR scanning. Depending on the body part that is being examined, you may be instructed to hold your breath for up to 30 seconds.

The magnet is permanently open on both ends. It is well lit and there is a fan for patient comfort. There is also a two way intercom system for communication between patient and technologist. The part of the body being scanned will be placed in the middle of the magnet.

During the actual imaging, you will hear a loud intermittent banging noise. You will be provided with earplugs or head phones to minimize the noise during the procedure.

The technologist will also provide you with an alarm button to alert the technologist of any discomfort you may experience at any point during the MRI exam.

Some MRI exams require an injection of intravenous MRI contrast. Inform the technologist if you experience any discomfort during the injection.