ARRT Magnetic Resonance (MR) Certification Exam 2026:
Comprehensive Professional Practice Test — MRI Physics, Patient
Care, Safety, Pulse Sequences, Image Production & Imaging
Procedures — 190 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers &
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: PATIENT CARE AND SAFETY (Questions 1-35)
Question 1
A patient arrives for an MRI examination and reports having a cardiac pacemaker implanted
15 years ago. The technologist should:
A. Proceed with the examination using reduced SAR settings
B. Perform the examination only if the pacemaker is turned off
C. Verify the device's MRI safety status before any scanning
D. Complete the examination using only T1-weighted sequences
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: All implanted devices must be verified for MRI safety status before scanning, as
some legacy pacemakers are contraindicated while newer MRI-conditional devices may be
acceptable under specific protocols.
Question 2
Which of the following best describes the purpose of the American College of Radiology
(ACR) MRI Safety Committee guidelines?
A. To establish reimbursement rates for MRI procedures
,B. To provide standardized safety recommendations for MRI environments
C. To certify individual MRI technologists
D. To regulate the manufacturing of MRI equipment
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The ACR MRI Safety Committee develops evidence-based guidelines
establishing standardized safety practices, including the four-zone concept, to protect
patients and personnel in the MRI environment.
Question 3
A patient with a ferromagnetic aneurysm clip from 1985 presents for a brain MRI. The
technologist should:
A. Scan the patient with a low-field magnet only
B. Refuse the examination and consult with the radiologist
C. Proceed if the patient signs a waiver
D. Use only gradient echo sequences
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Ferromagnetic aneurysm clips can torque or dislodge in the magnetic field,
causing fatal hemorrhage. The examination must be refused until device documentation
confirms safety or the radiologist approves.
Question 4
The primary purpose of the "time-varying magnetic field" safety concern in MRI is related to:
,A. Static field effects on implanted devices
B. Peripheral nerve stimulation and cardiac stimulation
C. RF heating of metallic implants
D. Acoustic noise generation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Time-varying magnetic fields (dB/dt) can induce electrical currents in tissue,
potentially causing peripheral nerve stimulation or, at high enough levels, cardiac
stimulation.
Question 5
A patient requiring gadolinium-based contrast has an eGFR of 25 mL/min/1.73m². The
technologist should:
A. Administer the standard contrast dose
B. Use a macrocyclic agent at the lowest effective dose
C. Cancel the examination entirely
D. Double the contrast dose to improve enhancement
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR <30) are at risk for nephrogenic
systemic fibrosis; macrocyclic agents at lowest effective dose reduce NSF risk while
potentially enabling diagnosis.
Question 6
, Which zone in the ACR MRI safety model requires the most stringent access controls?
A. Zone I
B. Zone II
C. Zone III
D. Zone IV
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Zone IV is the magnet room itself, where the static magnetic field is always
present, requiring the strictest access controls to prevent ferromagnetic projectiles and
unauthorized entry.
Question 7
A technologist notices a patient's skin is warm and red after a long MR examination. This
finding most likely represents:
A. An allergic reaction to contrast
B. RF-induced heating from deposited energy
C. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis
D. Peripheral nerve stimulation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: RF energy deposition can cause tissue heating, especially with high SAR
sequences; first-degree burns may present as redness and warmth at contact points or skin
folds.
Comprehensive Professional Practice Test — MRI Physics, Patient
Care, Safety, Pulse Sequences, Image Production & Imaging
Procedures — 190 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers &
Detailed Rationales
SECTION 1: PATIENT CARE AND SAFETY (Questions 1-35)
Question 1
A patient arrives for an MRI examination and reports having a cardiac pacemaker implanted
15 years ago. The technologist should:
A. Proceed with the examination using reduced SAR settings
B. Perform the examination only if the pacemaker is turned off
C. Verify the device's MRI safety status before any scanning
D. Complete the examination using only T1-weighted sequences
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: All implanted devices must be verified for MRI safety status before scanning, as
some legacy pacemakers are contraindicated while newer MRI-conditional devices may be
acceptable under specific protocols.
Question 2
Which of the following best describes the purpose of the American College of Radiology
(ACR) MRI Safety Committee guidelines?
A. To establish reimbursement rates for MRI procedures
,B. To provide standardized safety recommendations for MRI environments
C. To certify individual MRI technologists
D. To regulate the manufacturing of MRI equipment
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The ACR MRI Safety Committee develops evidence-based guidelines
establishing standardized safety practices, including the four-zone concept, to protect
patients and personnel in the MRI environment.
Question 3
A patient with a ferromagnetic aneurysm clip from 1985 presents for a brain MRI. The
technologist should:
A. Scan the patient with a low-field magnet only
B. Refuse the examination and consult with the radiologist
C. Proceed if the patient signs a waiver
D. Use only gradient echo sequences
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Ferromagnetic aneurysm clips can torque or dislodge in the magnetic field,
causing fatal hemorrhage. The examination must be refused until device documentation
confirms safety or the radiologist approves.
Question 4
The primary purpose of the "time-varying magnetic field" safety concern in MRI is related to:
,A. Static field effects on implanted devices
B. Peripheral nerve stimulation and cardiac stimulation
C. RF heating of metallic implants
D. Acoustic noise generation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Time-varying magnetic fields (dB/dt) can induce electrical currents in tissue,
potentially causing peripheral nerve stimulation or, at high enough levels, cardiac
stimulation.
Question 5
A patient requiring gadolinium-based contrast has an eGFR of 25 mL/min/1.73m². The
technologist should:
A. Administer the standard contrast dose
B. Use a macrocyclic agent at the lowest effective dose
C. Cancel the examination entirely
D. Double the contrast dose to improve enhancement
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Patients with severe renal impairment (eGFR <30) are at risk for nephrogenic
systemic fibrosis; macrocyclic agents at lowest effective dose reduce NSF risk while
potentially enabling diagnosis.
Question 6
, Which zone in the ACR MRI safety model requires the most stringent access controls?
A. Zone I
B. Zone II
C. Zone III
D. Zone IV
Correct Answer: D
Explanation: Zone IV is the magnet room itself, where the static magnetic field is always
present, requiring the strictest access controls to prevent ferromagnetic projectiles and
unauthorized entry.
Question 7
A technologist notices a patient's skin is warm and red after a long MR examination. This
finding most likely represents:
A. An allergic reaction to contrast
B. RF-induced heating from deposited energy
C. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis
D. Peripheral nerve stimulation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: RF energy deposition can cause tissue heating, especially with high SAR
sequences; first-degree burns may present as redness and warmth at contact points or skin
folds.
