Final answer:
Ondansetron is used to prevent nausea and vomiting, with headache being one of its common side effects. Emesis, commonly caused by the flu or viral gastroenteritis from Astroviruses, is a frequent symptom. Strange sensations during MRI scans can relate to inner ear disturbances or reactions to contrast agents.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ondansetron, also known by its brand name Zofran, is a medication used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, or surgeries. One of the most common side effects of ondansetron is headache. The drug functions as a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, blocking the action of serotonin, which is a natural substance that may cause vomiting.
If you come down with the flu, you may experience emesis, which is the medical term for vomiting. Emesis is caused by various factors, including infections, such as viral gastroenteritis, which can lead to projectile vomiting. One cause of viral gastroenteritis is Astroviruses.
Regarding the sensation experienced in an MRI unit, when a patient turns his head quickly to one side and encounters momentary dizziness along with a strange taste in his mouth, there could be several causes. The dizziness could be related to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which is the most common disorder affecting the inner ear's vestibular system. As for the strange taste, this could be attributed to gustatory and olfactory disturbances sometimes reported with MRI contrast agents or the machine's operation.