Patient Preparation - Mercy Medical Center Dubuque

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Mercy Medical Center
Dubuque, Iowa
Preparation:
Continue to take any medication prescribed by your doctor unless otherwise directed.
MRI/MRA Abdomen, Kidneys, Liver or Pelvis: Do not eat or drink anything for 4 hours prior to
the examination. If you are diabetic, please check with your physician prior to the day of the
test.
ALL other exams: No preparation is required.
You will not be allowed to wear anything metallic during the MRI exam, so it would be best to
leave watches and jewelry at home. Certain examinations may require you to change into a
hospital gown. Items that need to be removed by patients before entering the MRI room
include:
• Purse, wallet, credit/debit cards, cards with magnetic strips
• Electronic devices such as beepers or cell phones
• Hearing aids
• Jewelry
• Keys, coins, pens, paper clips, safety pins
• Hair barrettes and hairpins
• Dentures
Patients who are claustrophobic may require sedation prior to the exam. Please contact your
physician and discuss the use of medication that can be taken before the examination. You will
need someone to drive you to and from the hospital if sedation is used.
MRI does not use any radiation and is considered a safe exam. However, if an MRI is ordered
during the first trimester (12 weeks) of pregnancy, discuss the benefits and risks with your
physician.
The Day of the test:
Patients should arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment time and register in the
Admitting department, which is located on the 1 st floor of the hospital. After registering, you will
be escorted to Radiology, which is on the ground floor.
Before the MRI procedure, you will be asked to fill out a screening and consent form. You will
undergo an interview by the MRI staff to get a current history. Check with the MRI staff if you
have questions or concerns about any implanted object or health condition that could impact the
MRI exam. This is particularly important if you have undergone surgery involving the brain, ear,
eye, heart or blood vessels.
You will be escorted into the scan room by a staff member and asked to lie down on a padded
table that slides into the scanner. You can wear headphones for most procedures and listen to
the radio or a CD. You can bring in a personal CD if you prefer. The MRI scanner produces loud
noises during the scan. These noises are normal and should not worry or scare you.

For some MRI exams, an IV dye or contrast agent called gadolinium may be injected into a vein
to better define the area being imaged. Unlike IV dye or contrast that is used in
x-ray studies, the MRI contrast agents do not contain iodine. If you are over 60 years of age,
diabetic, or have other kidney related problems, a laboratory blood test is done prior to the
administration of the gadolinium to ensure your kidneys are functionally properly.
Most MRI exams take between 30-60 minutes to complete depending on the body part being
imaged. You will be asked to remain perfectly still during the time the imaging takes place.
Patients may breathe normally, however, for certain examinations it may be necessary for you to
hold your breath for a short period of time.
During your MRI examination, the MRI staff will be able to speak to you at certain times, hear
you and observe you at all times. You will be given a rubber squeeze ball to alert the staff if you
need anything.
Once the entire MRI examination is completed, the images will be looked at by a radiologist, a
specially-trained physician who is able to interpret the scans for your doctor. The radiologist will
dictate a report that will be sent to your doctor. You should contact your doctor to go over the
results and discuss your next step.
How to contact the MRI department at Mercy:
Hours of Operation: 7a.m.-5:00p.m. Monday through Friday
Phone: 563-589-9081
After Hours Contact Radiology: 563-589-9040