Before transport for magnetic resonance imaging, a client reports that an intracranial aneurysm clip was implanted at another hospital years ago. The client has no implant card or device information. Which action should the nurse take first?
1Apply continuous pulse oximetry and continue transport to the scanner
2Use a reported previous MRI as sufficient implant information to continue
3Remove external metal objects and send the client to radiology
4Hold transport and first verify the implant's MR safety information✓ Correct answer
Explanation
An implant with unknown magnetic resonance safety status must be treated as unsafe until positively identified. Transport into the MR environment should pause while the manufacturer, model, and labeled conditions are verified.
Quick answer Hold transport and verify the clip's MR safety information. An unidentified implant is assumed unsafe until its identity and conditions of use are confirmed.
Why this is correct The magnetic field can move, heat, or interfere with certain implants. Knowing only that a clip exists or that an MRI may have occurred before does not establish that this specific device is safe under the planned scanner conditions.
Easy analogy or mental picture An unidentified implant is like an unlabeled container near a flame: do not bring it closer until its properties are known. The analogy supports the pause, but formal MR labeling and radiology review determine the actual conditions.
Memory hook Unknown implant means unknown risk, so stop before the MR zone and verify the label.
NCLEX decision rule For magnetic resonance imaging, positively identify every implanted device as MR Safe or MR Conditional and meet its conditions before scanning. Treat missing safety information as unsafe rather than relying on memory or external-metal removal.
Why the other choices are wrong Pulse oximetry does not prevent device movement or heating. A reported prior MRI is not device verification, and removing external metal does not resolve the unknown safety status of an internal clip.
References
[1]
NCSBN: 2026 NCLEX-RN Test PlanNational Council of State Boards of Nursing
[2]
FDA: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Benefits and RisksU.S. Food and Drug Administration