Essential safety terminology, patient questions, and practical interpreting guidance before an MRI examination
Created by a Working Medical Interpreter
BUILD THE WORD · SEE THE SYSTEM · INTERPRET THE ENCOUNTER
MRI appointments often begin before the patient enters the scanner.
The patient may be handed a screening form asking about implanted devices, previous surgeries, metal fragments, pregnancy, kidney disease, contrast reactions, or claustrophobia. A technologist may then review the same questions verbally.
These questions can sound repetitive, but they are not routine small talk. Accurate screening is an important part of MRI safety.
For medical interpreters, the challenge is not simply knowing what “MRI” means. We must recognize device names, surgical terminology, contrast-related language, and the difference between a definite No, an uncertain I’m not sure, and a qualified answer such as:
“I had surgery, but I don’t know what kind of clip they used.”
That uncertainty must be preserved.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS CHAPTER
This chapter will help medical interpreters:
recognize common MRI screening questions;
understand frequently used implant and device terminology;
distinguish MRI contrast from CT contrast;
interpret uncertainty, negation, and device details accurately;
avoid making safety decisions that belong to the clinical team; and
prepare working-language equivalents before an MRI appointment.
This chapter is an educational terminology reference. It is not an official MRI screening form and does not replace the policies of a radiology facility.
What Is an MRI?
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging.
MRI uses a strong magnetic field, changing magnetic fields, and radiofrequency energy to create detailed images of structures inside the body. It does not use ionizing radiation.
MRI is often used to examine the:
brain and spinal cord;
joints and soft tissues;
blood vessels;
abdomen and pelvis;
breasts;
heart; and
other internal structures.
Because the magnetic field can interact with certain objects, implants, and medical devices, patients are carefully screened before entering the MRI environment.
The FDA advises patients to report implanted devices, including pacemakers, stents, artificial joints, and medication pumps. Patients may also be asked about tattoos, medication patches, metal injuries, and other items that could require further review.
INTERPRETING PRIORITY
Preserve the Patient’s Exact Level of Certainty
A patient may answer:
Yes.
No.
I’m not sure.
I think so.
It was a long time ago.
I had surgery, but I don’t know what they put in.
My daughter has the implant information.
I was told it was safe during my last MRI.
These answers are not interchangeable.
The interpreter should not change:
“I don’t think I have any metal.”
into:
“No, I don’t have any metal.”
The first statement contains uncertainty. The second statement does not.
That difference may affect what the MRI staff needs to verify.
Common MRI Safety Categories
| Term | Plain English | 한국어 |
|---|---|---|
| MR Safe | An item that poses no known hazard in the MRI environment under the defined conditions of use | 자기공명 환경 안전 |
| MR Conditional | An item that may be used safely only when specific conditions are followed | 조건부 자기공명 안전 |
| MR Unsafe | An item that presents an unacceptable risk in the MRI environment | 자기공명 환경 비안전 |
| Unknown MRI safety status | The device has not been positively identified or its MRI conditions are not known | MRI 안전성 확인 불가 |
An interpreter should never decide that a device is safe simply because the patient previously underwent an MRI.
The exact manufacturer, model, location, implantation date, magnetic-field conditions, and facility protocol may matter. The MRI technologist, radiologist, or other qualified clinician must make that determination.
ENCOUNTER FLOW
A typical MRI appointment may include:
Registration and identity verification
Written MRI screening questionnaire
Verbal review with the MRI technologist
Review of implants, surgeries, and metal exposure
Pregnancy screening when applicable
Contrast and kidney-function screening when applicable
Removal of metal-containing personal items
Explanation of positioning, noise, and communication during the scan
Final safety check before entering the MRI area
MRI examination
The exact process varies by facility and by the type of examination ordered.
Common MRI Screening Questions
1. Cardiac Devices
Do you have a pacemaker, defibrillator, or implanted heart-rhythm monitor?
심박조율기, 제세동기 또는 이식형 심장리듬 감시장치가 있습니까?
Important terms:
| Medical term | Plain English | 한국어 |
|---|---|---|
| pacemaker | implanted device that helps regulate the heartbeat | 심박조율기 |
| implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, ICD | implanted device that can detect and treat dangerous heart rhythms | 이식형 심율동전환 제세동기 |
| loop recorder | implanted device that records heart rhythm over time | 이식형 루프기록계 |
| implant card | identification card containing information about an implanted device | 이식물 확인카드 |
A patient who has an implant card should be encouraged by the clinical staff to provide it. The interpreter should convey the request without deciding whether the device is compatible with MRI.
2. Hearing Devices
Do you have a cochlear implant or another implanted hearing device?
인공와우 또는 다른 이식형 청각장치가 있습니까?
| Medical term | Plain English | 한국어 |
|---|---|---|
| cochlear implant | surgically implanted device that provides a sense of sound | 인공와우 |
| hearing aid | removable device that amplifies sound | 보청기 |
| bone-anchored hearing device | device that transmits sound through the skull bone | 골고정형 청각장치 |
| middle-ear implant | surgically implanted hearing device involving the middle ear | 중이 이식형 청각장치 |
A cochlear implant and a hearing aid are not the same device.
Some hearing aids are removed before an MRI. Cochlear implants require device-specific review. Do not replace one professional or device name with another simply because the patient calls it “my hearing device.”
3. Brain and Blood-Vessel Implants
Have you ever had an aneurysm clip, vascular clip, coil, filter, or stent placed in your body?
동맥류 클립, 혈관 클립, 코일, 필터 또는 스텐트를 삽입한 적이 있습니까?
| Medical term | Plain English | 한국어 |
|---|---|---|
| aneurysm clip | clip placed during treatment of an aneurysm | 동맥류 클립 |
| embolization coil | small coil placed inside a blood vessel to block blood flow to a targeted area | 색전 코일 |
| vascular stent | small mesh tube used to keep a blood vessel open | 혈관 스텐트 |
| vena cava filter | filter placed in a large vein to help prevent blood clots from reaching the lungs | 대정맥 필터 |
YoungMae’s Practical Tip
Patients may know that they “had something put in” but may not know whether it was a clip, coil, stent, or filter.
Interpret the patient’s own description first. If the technologist needs clarification, interpret the follow-up questions completely.
Never guess the device based only on the location of the surgery.
4. Pumps, Stimulators, and Monitoring Devices
Do you have an implanted medication pump, insulin pump, neurostimulator, or continuous glucose monitor?
이식형 약물펌프, 인슐린펌프, 신경자극기 또는 연속혈당측정기가 있습니까?
| Medical term | Plain English | 한국어 |
|---|---|---|
| medication pump | device that delivers medicine into the body | 약물주입펌프 |
| insulin pump | device that delivers insulin | 인슐린펌프 |
| continuous glucose monitor, CGM | device that continuously measures glucose levels | 연속혈당측정기 |
| neurostimulator | device that delivers electrical stimulation to nerves | 신경자극기 |
| spinal cord stimulator | implanted device used to send electrical signals to the spinal cord | 척수자극기 |
Do not instruct the patient to remove, disconnect, stop, or adjust a medical device unless the healthcare professional gives that instruction.
The interpreter conveys the instruction. The interpreter does not create it.
5. Metal in the Eye or Body
Have you ever had metal in your eye or been injured by metal fragments?
눈에 금속이 들어갔거나 금속 파편으로 다친 적이 있습니까?
Do you have a bullet, shrapnel, or another retained metal fragment in your body?
총알, 파편 또는 체내에 남아 있는 다른 금속 조각이 있습니까?
| Medical term | Plain English | 한국어 |
|---|---|---|
| metallic foreign body | metal object remaining in the body | 금속성 이물 |
| metal fragment | small piece of metal | 금속 파편 |
| retained foreign body | object that remains inside the body | 잔류 이물 |
| shrapnel | fragments from an explosive device or projectile | 폭발물 파편 |
| orbital foreign body | foreign object in or around the eye socket | 안와 내 이물 |
The question is not simply:
“Are you wearing metal?”
The technologist may be asking about metal that remains inside the body after an occupational injury, accident, military injury, or previous procedure.
6. Prior Surgery
Have you had surgery involving your brain, heart, blood vessels, eyes, ears, or spine?
뇌, 심장, 혈관, 눈, 귀 또는 척추 수술을 받은 적이 있습니까?
Follow-up questions may include:
What type of surgery did you have?
When was the surgery performed?
At which hospital was it performed?
Was anything implanted?
Do you know the manufacturer or model?
Do you have an implant card?
Have you had an MRI since the surgery?
The interpreter must preserve dates, locations, uncertainty, and the patient’s description of the procedure.
7. Orthopedic Hardware
Do you have an artificial joint, metal plate, screws, rods, wires, or other orthopedic hardware?
인공관절, 금속판, 나사, 봉, 철사 또는 다른 정형외과 고정물이 있습니까?
| Medical term | Plain English | 한국어 |
|---|---|---|
| artificial joint | joint replacement placed during surgery | 인공관절 |
| orthopedic hardware | implanted material used to support or repair bones and joints | 정형외과용 고정물 |
| plate and screws | metal plate secured to bone with screws | 금속판과 나사 |
| intramedullary rod | rod placed inside the central canal of a bone | 골수강 내 금속정 |
| surgical wire | wire used during surgical repair or fixation | 수술용 철사 |
Do not assume that all orthopedic metal prevents an MRI. Report the information accurately and allow the MRI team to evaluate it.
8. Pregnancy
Are you pregnant or is there any possibility that you may be pregnant?
임신 중이거나 임신 가능성이 있습니까?
Possible answers may include:
No.
Yes.
I’m not sure.
My period is late.
I had a hysterectomy.
I am postmenopausal.
I could be pregnant, but I have not taken a test.
The interpreter should not shorten or reinterpret these responses.
If a patient asks whether MRI is safe during pregnancy, interpret the question to the appropriate healthcare professional. Do not answer it independently.
9. Claustrophobia
Do you have claustrophobia or difficulty remaining inside an enclosed space?
폐쇄공포증이 있거나 밀폐된 공간에 머무르기 어렵습니까?
| Term | Plain English | 한국어 |
|---|---|---|
| claustrophobia | intense fear or distress in enclosed spaces | 폐쇄공포증 |
| enclosed space | small or closed-in area | 밀폐된 공간 |
| open MRI | MRI system with a more open design | 개방형 MRI |
| sedation | medication used to help a patient relax or become sleepy | 진정 |
| call button | device used to alert the MRI technologist | 호출버튼 |
A patient may not identify with the word claustrophobia but may say:
“I panic when something is close to my face.”
or:
“I couldn’t finish my last MRI.”
These statements should be interpreted completely.
10. Tattoos, Patches, and Personal Items
Do you have tattoos, permanent makeup, medication patches, body piercings, or cosmetic items that may contain metal?
문신, 반영구화장, 약물패치, 피어싱 또는 금속이 포함될 수 있는 미용용품이 있습니까?
Patients may also be instructed to remove:
jewelry;
watches;
hearing aids;
removable dental appliances;
hairpins;
wigs or hairpieces containing metal;
piercings;
phones;
keys;
wallets or cards; and
clothing with metallic fasteners.
Interpret the facility’s exact instructions. Do not create a universal removal list because policies and equipment may vary.
MRI Contrast Questions
Some MRI examinations use a gadolinium-based contrast agent.
This is different from the iodinated contrast commonly associated with CT imaging.
Common questions include:
Have you previously received MRI contrast?
과거에 MRI 조영제를 투여받은 적이 있습니까?
Did you have a reaction after receiving gadolinium contrast?
가돌리늄 조영제를 투여받은 후 반응이 있었습니까?
Do you have kidney disease or reduced kidney function?
신장질환 또는 신장기능 저하가 있습니까?
Are you receiving dialysis?
투석을 받고 있습니까?
Have you had recent creatinine or eGFR testing?
최근 크레아티닌 또는 추정사구체여과율 검사를 받았습니까?
| Medical term | Plain English | 한국어 |
|---|---|---|
| gadolinium-based contrast agent | contrast material sometimes used during MRI | 가돌리늄계 조영제 |
| contrast reaction | unwanted symptoms occurring after contrast administration | 조영제 반응 |
| kidney function | how well the kidneys are working | 신장기능 |
| creatinine | blood-test measurement used when evaluating kidney function | 크레아티닌 |
| estimated glomerular filtration rate, eGFR | estimated measurement of kidney filtration | 추정사구체여과율 |
| dialysis | treatment that removes waste and excess fluid when the kidneys cannot do so adequately | 투석 |
The interpreter should not decide:
whether a previous reaction was an allergy;
whether kidney function is adequate;
whether contrast should be administered; or
whether the examination should proceed.
Those decisions belong to the clinical team.
CLINICAL PHRASES TO RECOGNIZE
Technologist We need to verify the exact type of implant before you enter the MRI area.
MRI 구역에 들어가기 전에 정확한 이식물 종류를 확인해야 합니다.
Patient
I had heart surgery about fifteen years ago, but I don’t know whether they left any metal inside.
약 15년 전에 심장수술을 받았는데, 몸 안에 금속을 넣었는지는 모르겠어요.
Technologist
Do you have an implant card or information about the manufacturer and model?
이식물 확인카드나 제조사 및 모델에 관한 정보가 있습니까?
Patient
My daughter may have that information at home.
딸이 집에 그 정보를 가지고 있을지도 몰라요.
Technologist
Please do not remove or disconnect your pump until we give you specific instructions.
저희가 구체적으로 안내하기 전까지 펌프를 제거하거나 분리하지 마십시오.
DIALOGUE PRACTICE
Scenario: The Patient Is Unsure About a Previous Surgery
Technologist:
Do you have any clips, coils, stents, or other implanted devices?
한국어:
클립, 코일, 스텐트 또는 다른 이식형 장치가 있습니까?
Patient:
I’m not sure. They repaired a blood vessel in my brain, but I don’t remember what they used.
한국어:
잘 모르겠어요. 뇌혈관을 치료했는데 무엇을 사용했는지는 기억나지 않아요.
Technologist:
Do you remember the name of the hospital or approximately when the procedure was performed?
한국어:
병원 이름이나 시술을 받은 대략적인 시기를 기억하십니까?
Patient:
It was probably around 2012 at a hospital in Philadelphia.
한국어:
아마 2012년쯤 필라델피아에 있는 병원이었던 것 같아요.
Your Language:
Accuracy Check
Did your interpretation preserve:
“I’m not sure”?
“probably”?
the approximate year?
the location?
the difference between repairing a blood vessel and knowing the exact device?
YOUNGMAE’S PRACTICAL TIP
A familiar word can create false confidence.
A patient may use general expressions such as:
a heart device;
a clip in my head;
a metal knee;
a hearing implant;
a sugar monitor;
a pain-control device; or
a patch.
Do not silently convert the patient’s general description into a more specific medical term.
Interpret what the patient said. Then allow the technologist to ask the questions needed to identify the device.
Never guess. Ask. Clarify. Correct. Continue.
FINAL THOUGHTS
MRI screening is a good example of why medical interpreters need more than memorized vocabulary.
We must understand:
what the question is asking;
why a follow-up question may be necessary;
which details must be preserved;
where uncertainty appears in the patient’s answer; and
when the decision belongs to the healthcare professional.
The goal is not to sound more medical than the speaker.
The goal is to understand the terminology well enough to convey the complete meaning accurately, without adding, omitting, or changing information.
Continue Learning with Medical Interpreter Roadmap
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Volume 2 — Whole-Body & Specialty Medical Terminology
Volume 2 was developed from more than eight years of notes collected during real medical interpreting work.
It includes:
prefixes, roots, combining forms, and suffixes;
whole-body medical terminology;
24 specialty outpatient chapters;
formal medical terms and plain-English meanings;
reviewed Korean medical terminology;
space for every interpreter’s working language;
clinical dialogues and practice exercises;
behavioral-health questions;
MRI and contrast screening references; and
one-page pre-procedure practice forms.
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Official References
Last reviewed: August 2026
This article is for terminology and interpreter education. It is not medical advice, an official screening form, or a substitute for institutional MRI safety procedures.
Copyright © 2026 YoungMae Roca
Medical Interpreter Roadmap
All rights reserved.
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