What is the difference between CT scan And MRI

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Someone asked me recently what the difference is between a CT scan and an MRI and I couldn't answer them. I am a relatively new grad working in LTC. I haven't had any exposure to these tests except what we went over in school. I've been studying on it and this is what I've come up with. A CT scan is cheaper, faster, and it uses radiation . It will show bones where an MRI will not. An MRI uses magnetism and radio waves.It shows the same thing as a CT scan except it will not show bones. Is there anything else I should know when explaining the difference to someone? If some one is having neurological problems why would a CT scan be ordered before an MRI? The person who asked me the difference thought that the 2 tests showed the same thing but that an MRI was better so they wanted to know why you wouldn't start with an MRI if the test wasn't needed to show bones.

Thanks I needed this- as I am studying for NCLEX! and my kaplan books did not say anything specific about it. Good luck to all nurses out there. It is a wonderful profession!

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You will not be asked in NCLEX about choosing which diagnostic imaging method to use or asked to read the results. You will probably be asked to know the difference for preps, and what to explain to the patient about what to expect.

Here's a site with MRI and CT of the same neck side by side so you can see the difference.

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1146&bih=929&q=difference+between+mri+and+ct&oq=MRI+and+CT&gs_l=img.1.2.0l2j0i5j0i24l7.2056.11695.0.13993.14.11.2.1.1.0.60.621.11.11.0....0...1ac.1.32.img..0.14.630.7mL2WebcYto#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=4DjyWyQiZ3FQMM%253A%3BuPO72HiZF_htSM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.neurologyindia.com%252Farticles%252F2012%252F60%252F1%252Fimages%252Fni_2012_60_1_9_93582_f13.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.neurologyindia.com%252Farticle.asp%253Fissn%253D0028-3886%253Byear%253D2012%253Bvolume%253D60%253Bissue%253D1%253Bspage%253D9%253Bepage%253D17%253Baulast%253DJain%3B486%3B619

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Well there was a scenario on which they give you answer choices of various diseases and say an MRI is best suitable for. Thanks for the link!

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Not your scope of practice. Although knowing MRI is best for soft tissue and radiology (CT, plain xray) is best for bones may be useful.

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Specializes in NICU, PICU, PACU.

Not in your scope, but you should know why one is used over the other. For most Neuro things an MRI is better, unless you are looking for an acute bleed or infarction. MRI is better for structural problems and for diagnosis of joint, etc problems.

My hubby works radiology, so I am always on him about stuff lol

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Here is a nice article that explains the difference between CT and MRI with pictures. It also gives you a step-by-step method to help you tell the difference between CT and MRI yourself. How to Easily Tell the Difference Between MRI and CT Scan - 3D Printing in Medicine - embodi3D.com

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