A nurse is preparing a patient for an electroencephalogram (EEG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).  Which is the nurse's responsibility?

Explanation

• In order to obtain informed consent, the physician must provide clear and adequate information about the procedure. If the patient has questions about the procedure, the nurse may answer them if able, and if the nurse does not know an answer to a question, the physician ordering the procedure should be contacted to clarify things before the patient signs for consent.

• A nurse should be able to explain what the patient may see or feel during the procedures, and to listen to fears or concerns to alleviate anxiety.

• Nurses should know that an EEG is a graphic recording of the electrical activity in the brain and that an MRI is a scan that provides information about the body's anatomy. Only the MRI requires consent as the EEG is noninvasive and does not expose the patient to radiation or dye. An MRI checklist may need to be completed by the nurse prior to the MRI that asks screening questions mostly related to any metal objects the patient may have in his/her body that would exclude them from having the MRI.

• Incorrect: NPO is not required for either test.

• Incorrect: EEG and MRI do not require the administration of radiopaque tablets. If dye is used during the MRI, it is given intravenously by the radiologist technician.

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