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The physician has ordered an MRI as a part of the client's diagnostic work-up. An MRI should not be done if the client has:

The need for oxygen therapy
A history of claustrophobia
A permanent pacemaker
Sensory deafness

1 Answer

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Final answer:

An MRI scan is contraindicated for clients with a permanent pacemaker due to the potential for interference with pacemaker function. Clients with claustrophobia may experience discomfort; however, open MRI machines are available to alleviate this issue. Sensory deafness and the need for oxygen therapy do not preclude an MRI unless the oxygen delivery system is magnetic.

Step-by-step explanation:

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scan should not be conducted if the client has a permanent pacemaker. The powerful electromagnets used in MRI can interfere with pacemaker operation, potentially leading to incorrect pacing or deactivation. Moreover, an MRI generates electromagnetic fields that could induce voltages in the wires of the pacemaker, causing malfunction or heat, which might be harmful to the patient.

Clients with a history of claustrophobia may also be at risk during an MRI scan due to the enclosed nature of the equipment, although open MRI options have made the process more bearable. However, this is more of a comfort consideration rather than a medical contraindication as with pacemakers or ferromagnetic implants. While sensory deafness is not ideal due to the noise produced by an MRI machine, it is not a contraindication for the scan; earplugs or headsets are often provided to patients to mitigate this issue. Similarly, the need for oxygen therapy is not in itself a contraindication, although nonmagnetic oxygen delivery systems must be used inside the MRI suite.

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