Preventing RF-Related Injuries

What is the relationship between Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) and RF-related burns?. High SAR is the only cause of RF burns. RF-related burns are totally unrelated to SAR; they can occur even at low SAR settings. Low SAR settings guarantee that no burns will occur. SAR measures the temperature of the bore wall, not patient heating.

Which of the following is NOT listed as a primary reason for radiofrequency burns?. Near-field burns from contact with the bore wall. Large caliber loops formed by skin-to-skin contact. Resonance circuitry burns from conductive metals in the RF transmitter coil. The magnetic pull of a 3 Tesla magnet on the patient's skin.

What is the recommended thickness for padding used to ensure a patient is not in contact with the bore wall?. 0.1 to 0.2 centimeters. 0.5 to 1.0 centimeters. 5.0 to 10.0 centimeters. Padding is only required if the patient asks for it.

Why are some bore wall contact burns not noticed until a week or more after the MRI exam?. The patient is usually too busy to notice. The burn often occurs below the skin surface because pain sensors are superficial. The MRI magnet has a "delayed heating" effect. It takes a week for the liquid helium to cause a reaction.

Which of these are common locations for burns resulting from skin-to-skin contact?. The top of the head and the elbows. The earlobes and the nose. The soles of the feet and the palms of the hands. The medial calves, medial thighs, or a finger touching a thigh.

Which item should be removed or carefully managed because it can cause resonance circuitry burns?. A plastic ID badge. A cotton bed sheet. EKG electrodes, leads, or medication patches with metallic backing. A wooden tongue depressor.

Why is it essential for patients to change out of street clothes (like athletic wear) into facility-provided scrubs?. To make all patients look the same for the records. Street clothes/athletic wear often contain invisible metallic microfibers that heat up during a scan. Scrubs are more comfortable for the long duration of a scan. Street clothes can get stuck on the moving table.

In the case study of the five-week-old infant, what caused a fourth-degree burn resulting in amputation?. A conductive pulse oximeter not designed for the MRI environment was used. The baby moved too much. The baby was allergic to the scanning room air. The MRI technologist used too much gel.

For patients with MR Conditional implants, why is it critical to know if a head coil is "Receive-Only" or "Transmit/Receive"?. Receive-only coils are heavier. Some implants have restrictions that prohibit the use of the integrated body coil for RF transmission. Transmit/Receive coils use more liquid helium. It determines the color of the final image.

What is a key takeaway from the 11-year-old girl case study who suffered burns despite the site "doing everything right"?. She should have had more sedation. Long-sleeved shirts are safer than short-sleeved shirts. Grey clothing is more magnetic than white clothing. The failure to have the patient change out of her undershirt and sweatpants led to the injury.