MRI ICD Safety Certification Exam
Practice Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2027
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What does ICD stand for?
A. Internal Cardiac Detector
B. Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator
C. Intracardiac Diagnostic Controller
D. Implantable Coronary Defibrillator
Correct answer: B. Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator
An ICD is an implantable cardiac electronic device designed to detect and treat
potentially dangerous ventricular arrhythmias. It can provide pacing and, when
indicated, deliver therapies such as antitachycardia pacing or defibrillation.
2. What is a primary function of an ICD?
A. Measure blood glucose continuously
B. Deliver controlled RF energy to the heart
C. Detect and treat potentially life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias
D. Maintain oxygen saturation
Correct answer: C. Detect and treat potentially life-threatening ventricular
arrhythmias
An ICD monitors cardiac electrical activity and can provide therapies for
ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Depending on the device, it can also provide pacing
support.
,3. Why can an ICD present a special concern during MRI?
A. MRI always destroys the ICD battery
B. MRI electromagnetic fields can interact with the device and affect its
operation or cause heating
C. ICDs always increase MRI image quality
D. ICDs prevent gradient switching
Correct answer: B. MRI electromagnetic fields can interact with the device and
affect its operation or cause heating
The static magnetic field, gradient fields, and RF energy can interact with an
implanted electronic cardiac device. Potential concerns include device
malfunction, inappropriate sensing or therapy, induced currents, and heating.
4. What is the first important step when an ICD patient is referred for MRI?
A. Immediately place the patient in the scanner
B. Turn off the ICD permanently
C. Identify the complete implanted system and determine its MR safety status
D. Remove the patient's identification card
Correct answer: C. Identify the complete implanted system and determine its
MR safety status
The device, leads, and relevant system components must be identified before
determining whether an MRI examination can be performed. A device should not
be assumed to be MR Conditional based solely on its appearance or manufacturer.
5. Which statement correctly describes an MR Conditional ICD system?
A. It is safe in every MRI environment without restrictions
B. It cannot ever be scanned
C. It may be scanned only when specified conditions of use are satisfied
D. It is automatically safe if the patient has no symptoms
,Correct answer: C. It may be scanned only when specified conditions of use are
satisfied
MR Conditional means that the device can be used safely under defined
conditions. These conditions may specify field strength, scanner configuration, RF
exposure, gradient limits, device programming, and other requirements.
6. What should be assumed about an ICD whose MR safety status cannot be
established?
A. It is automatically MR Safe
B. It is automatically MR Conditional
C. It should be treated as not approved for MRI until its status is appropriately
established
D. It can be scanned if the patient signs a consent form
Correct answer: C. It should be treated as not approved for MRI until its status is
appropriately established
FDA guidance states that devices without established MR safety information
should be considered unsafe for MRI. Documentation and device identification
should therefore be obtained before scanning.
7. Why must the ICD leads be evaluated in addition to the pulse generator?
A. Leads have no electrical function
B. The complete system's MR conditions can depend on both the generator and
leads
C. Leads determine the patient's blood pressure
D. Leads are always MR Safe regardless of model
Correct answer: B. The complete system's MR conditions can depend on both
the generator and leads
An ICD system includes the pulse generator and implanted leads. The MR
Conditional status of one component does not automatically establish the status
of the complete system.
, 8. What is an important principle when determining whether an ICD system
qualifies as MR Conditional?
A. Only the pulse generator matters
B. Only the lead manufacturer matters
C. All required components must satisfy the applicable MR conditions
D. The patient's age determines MR Conditional status
Correct answer: C. All required components must satisfy the applicable MR
conditions
The ACR notes that an MR Conditional system requires all elements of the system
to meet the relevant conditions. If a component does not meet the required
conditions, the complete system cannot simply be treated as MR Conditional.
9. Which document may help identify an implanted ICD?
A. Hospital cafeteria receipt
B. The patient's device identification card
C. MRI room cleaning checklist
D. Patient's driver's license
Correct answer: B. The patient's device identification card
An implant identification card can provide manufacturer and model information
that helps the MRI team determine the device's MR status and applicable
conditions.
10. Which additional source can help identify an ICD when the implant card is
unavailable?
A. Patient's preferred pharmacy
B. Operative records or device-management records
C. MRI room temperature log
D. Hearing-protection instructions
Practice Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2027
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. What does ICD stand for?
A. Internal Cardiac Detector
B. Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator
C. Intracardiac Diagnostic Controller
D. Implantable Coronary Defibrillator
Correct answer: B. Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator
An ICD is an implantable cardiac electronic device designed to detect and treat
potentially dangerous ventricular arrhythmias. It can provide pacing and, when
indicated, deliver therapies such as antitachycardia pacing or defibrillation.
2. What is a primary function of an ICD?
A. Measure blood glucose continuously
B. Deliver controlled RF energy to the heart
C. Detect and treat potentially life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias
D. Maintain oxygen saturation
Correct answer: C. Detect and treat potentially life-threatening ventricular
arrhythmias
An ICD monitors cardiac electrical activity and can provide therapies for
ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Depending on the device, it can also provide pacing
support.
,3. Why can an ICD present a special concern during MRI?
A. MRI always destroys the ICD battery
B. MRI electromagnetic fields can interact with the device and affect its
operation or cause heating
C. ICDs always increase MRI image quality
D. ICDs prevent gradient switching
Correct answer: B. MRI electromagnetic fields can interact with the device and
affect its operation or cause heating
The static magnetic field, gradient fields, and RF energy can interact with an
implanted electronic cardiac device. Potential concerns include device
malfunction, inappropriate sensing or therapy, induced currents, and heating.
4. What is the first important step when an ICD patient is referred for MRI?
A. Immediately place the patient in the scanner
B. Turn off the ICD permanently
C. Identify the complete implanted system and determine its MR safety status
D. Remove the patient's identification card
Correct answer: C. Identify the complete implanted system and determine its
MR safety status
The device, leads, and relevant system components must be identified before
determining whether an MRI examination can be performed. A device should not
be assumed to be MR Conditional based solely on its appearance or manufacturer.
5. Which statement correctly describes an MR Conditional ICD system?
A. It is safe in every MRI environment without restrictions
B. It cannot ever be scanned
C. It may be scanned only when specified conditions of use are satisfied
D. It is automatically safe if the patient has no symptoms
,Correct answer: C. It may be scanned only when specified conditions of use are
satisfied
MR Conditional means that the device can be used safely under defined
conditions. These conditions may specify field strength, scanner configuration, RF
exposure, gradient limits, device programming, and other requirements.
6. What should be assumed about an ICD whose MR safety status cannot be
established?
A. It is automatically MR Safe
B. It is automatically MR Conditional
C. It should be treated as not approved for MRI until its status is appropriately
established
D. It can be scanned if the patient signs a consent form
Correct answer: C. It should be treated as not approved for MRI until its status is
appropriately established
FDA guidance states that devices without established MR safety information
should be considered unsafe for MRI. Documentation and device identification
should therefore be obtained before scanning.
7. Why must the ICD leads be evaluated in addition to the pulse generator?
A. Leads have no electrical function
B. The complete system's MR conditions can depend on both the generator and
leads
C. Leads determine the patient's blood pressure
D. Leads are always MR Safe regardless of model
Correct answer: B. The complete system's MR conditions can depend on both
the generator and leads
An ICD system includes the pulse generator and implanted leads. The MR
Conditional status of one component does not automatically establish the status
of the complete system.
, 8. What is an important principle when determining whether an ICD system
qualifies as MR Conditional?
A. Only the pulse generator matters
B. Only the lead manufacturer matters
C. All required components must satisfy the applicable MR conditions
D. The patient's age determines MR Conditional status
Correct answer: C. All required components must satisfy the applicable MR
conditions
The ACR notes that an MR Conditional system requires all elements of the system
to meet the relevant conditions. If a component does not meet the required
conditions, the complete system cannot simply be treated as MR Conditional.
9. Which document may help identify an implanted ICD?
A. Hospital cafeteria receipt
B. The patient's device identification card
C. MRI room cleaning checklist
D. Patient's driver's license
Correct answer: B. The patient's device identification card
An implant identification card can provide manufacturer and model information
that helps the MRI team determine the device's MR status and applicable
conditions.
10. Which additional source can help identify an ICD when the implant card is
unavailable?
A. Patient's preferred pharmacy
B. Operative records or device-management records
C. MRI room temperature log
D. Hearing-protection instructions
