Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) Practice Exam

What type of imaging technique uses a magnetic field to create images of internal bodily structures?

1. X-ray

2. CT scan

3. MRI

4. Ultrasound

The correct answer is: MRI

The imaging technique that utilizes a magnetic field to generate detailed images of internal bodily structures is Magnetic Resonance Imaging, commonly known as MRI. MRI employs powerful magnets and radio waves to produce high-resolution images of organs, tissues, and other internal structures. This method is particularly beneficial because it does not use ionizing radiation, making it a safer option for imaging compared to techniques such as X-rays and CT scans. The magnetic field aligns the hydrogen atoms in the body, and when radio waves are applied, they disrupt this alignment. As the hydrogen atoms realign with the magnetic field, they emit signals that are converted into images. In contrast, other imaging techniques like X-rays and CT scans rely on ionizing radiation to penetrate the body and create images, while ultrasound utilizes high-frequency sound waves. Therefore, MRI stands out due to its use of magnetic fields and radio waves, providing specifics in soft tissue imaging that are often unmatched by other modalities.