Magnetic Resonance Imaging Safety and Monitorin - Essay Example

In fact, it has been shown that MRI images are better for children and patients who were given anesthesia. However, the effects of these drugs vary by age and disease of the patient (Medical Advisory Secretariat, 2003). Figure 1. Keeping still a child in MRI is difficult without anesthesia. Figure courtesy of Asher, J., 2009. Kids’ Brain Development Charted As They Grow Up: First MRI Data Release on Young Children, Brain Chemistry. [online] Available at: < http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news/2009/kids-brain-development-charted-as-they-grow-up.

shtml> Figure 2. Poor MRI image quality can result from movement during the procedure. Figure courtesy of CT Dictionary [online] Available at: Because of the health-related risks associated with MRI, the procedure and associated patient care, especially if anesthesia is opted, should be carefully planned prior to actual imaging. Patient care during the MRI setting includes monitoring, anesthetic care, as well as airway and emergency management (American Society of Anesthesiologists, 2009). . Sedation also poses greater threat among those at risk of respiratory and cardiac problems or any change in physiologic status, since the sedated patient may get into respiratory depression or hemodynamic imbalance without being able to inform the MRI technologist.

In addition, injured or critically ill patients can acquire central nervous system or cardiorespiratory complications once given with anesthesia (Medical Advisory Secretariat, 2003). These risks add onto the health problems that may arise due to the MRI imaging procedure itself. According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (2009), anesthetic care in MRI involves moderate and deep sedation, monitoring, general anesthesia, and critical care or ventilator support, although minimal sedation or anxiolysis may be given to complete the scan safely and comfortably.

Anesthesia in MRI is different from that in the operating rooms, because anesthesia-administering devices and monitoring equipment commonly used in the hospital may not be functional in an MRI setting. In addition, direct patient observation may be hampered by noise, dark environment and obstructed line of sigh (American Society of Anesthesiologists, 2009). Patient care during MRI is vital, especially during high-risk imaging, which occurs among patients with health-related risks, and when using high-risk equipment or procedures.

Health-related risks are present in patients with neonatal status, prematurity, intensive or critical care status, impaired respiratory function, hemodynamic abnormalities, required vasoactive infusion, obesity or peripheral vascular diseases. In addition, changes in levels of sedation, muscle relaxation or respiration that may pose minimal- or moderate-risk patients in high-risk conditions should be