Having a MRI

Your doctor has told you and your family that you need to have a special test called Magnetic Resonance Imaging (Mag-net-tic Re-son-ants Imm-ah-jing) or MRI for short.

An MRI is a special test that uses a computer to take pictures of the inside of your body. It does not hurt. Your job is to stay very still so that the pictures come out clear. You can sometimes listen to music or a story over headphones to help relax.

Getting Ready

MRI's are taken in the Radiology Department with a big camera. It does not hurt and your family can stay with you. You will change into a special shirt called a johnny. You can keep your underwear on, but you must take off all metal jewelry. Then you lie down on a special bed that can move a little. The camera is shaped like a big donut and the bed can slide through the middle of the donut and your picture is taken while this happens. You must stay very still. Sometimes you can keep your arms straight at your sides and other times the technologist will tell you to raise them over your head. The technologist will talk to you while you are having the MRI.

When the camera is taking the pictures, it sounds like a drum beating. You can close your eyes while you are having the MRI or you can even fall asleep. This is when the music or story is helpful. When the technologist is done taking all the pictures, you can get dressed in your clothes and leave.

Sometimes the doctor wants you to have a little medicine to help you relax during the MRI. If this is needed, we will tell your family. You will only be able to drink some clear juice or water four hours before coming to the hospital. After the MRI, you will be able to eat again. 

Special Words

Johnny: a special shirt you wear during an MRI.

X-Ray: a special picture of the inside of your body.

MRI: a special picture of the inside of your body, like an X-ray, but it uses a special computer camera. It does not hurt.

Technologist: a friendly person who helps work the camera and can answer any questions you have.

Radiology Department: the place in a hospital where MRI's are taken.

If you have any questions, please call the Radiology Department at (860) 545-9122