Question

After having several Stokes-Adams attacks within 4 months, a client reluctantly agrees to implantation of a permanent pacemaker. Before discharge, the nurse reviews pacemaker care and safety guidelines with the client and his spouse. Which safety precaution is appropriate for a client who has a pacemaker?

a) Stay at least 2' away from microwave ovens.
b) Never engage in activities that require vigorous arm and shoulder movement.
c) Avoid undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
d) Avoid going through airport metal detectors.

Answer 1

Avoid undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Thus option C is correct.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most appropriate safety precaution for a client with a pacemaker is to avoid undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI machines generate powerful magnetic fields that can interfere with the functioning of a pacemaker, potentially causing it to malfunction or disrupt its normal operations. This precaution is crucial to prevent any adverse effects on the pacemaker's functionality and the individual's health.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) employs strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images of the body's internal structures. However, these magnetic fields can significantly interfere with the proper functioning of a pacemaker. The pacemaker relies on electronic signals to regulate the heart's rhythm, and exposure to an MRI's powerful magnetic fields can potentially disrupt these signals or cause the device to malfunction. The magnetic field generated during an MRI may induce currents within the pacemaker leads, leading to erratic pacing or even damage to the device itself. Thus, it is crucial for individuals with pacemakers to avoid undergoing MRI procedures to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the implanted device.

While other precautions such as staying at least 2 feet away from microwave ovens, avoiding vigorous arm and shoulder movements, and bypassing airport metal detectors are also advisable, the potential risks associated with undergoing an MRI are notably higher. Microwave ovens, although they emit electromagnetic fields, typically pose minimal risk to pacemaker function at a distance. Engaging in vigorous arm and shoulder movements may cause temporary interference but isn't as critical as the potential dangers of an MRI. Similarly, modern pacemakers are designed to withstand exposure to airport metal detectors, causing no harm to the device. However, the magnetic fields within an MRI machine pose a direct and significant threat to the proper functioning of a pacemaker, hence warranting strict avoidance of this procedure for individuals with implanted devices. Thus opton C is correct.