A patient is being transported for an MRI and has a pulse oximeter attached. What is the priority nursing action?

• A. Verify that all monitoring devices are MRI-compatible before entering the MRI
• B. Remove all monitors regardless of MRI compatibility
• C. Proceed with transport and monitor changes from outside MRI
• D. Call security to stop transport

Answer: (A)

In an MRI setting, every piece of equipment that will enter the scanner must be MRI-compatible. The strong magnetic field can turn non-compatible devices into dangerous projectiles and can cause heating or malfunction of monitoring equipment like a pulse oximeter. Verifying that all monitoring devices are MRI-compatible before entering the MRI ensures the patient remains safely monitored without risking device movement, heating, or interference.

Removing all monitors before confirming compatibility leaves the patient unmonitored and ignores the hazard of non-compatible equipment; proceeding with transport and monitoring from outside the MRI risks missing important physiologic changes inside the scan; calling security to stop transport doesn’t address the safety requirement of using MRI-safe equipment.