NSG 550 – Quiz 3 Study Guide with Verified Solution | New Update 2026/27
NSG 550 – Quiz 3 Study Guide
1. MRI vs MRA (Know WHEN and WHY)
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
• Indication: Soft tissue, tumors, spinal cord, MS, disc herniation
• Best for: Brain structure, spinal cord pathology
• Findings: Lesions, edema, demyelination
• Clinical tip: First-line for neurologic deficits without vascular
concern
MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography)
• Indication: Blood vessels (aneurysm, stenosis, AV malformation)
• Best for: Cerebral circulation
• Clinical tip: Order when suspecting stroke, aneurysm, vascular
compromise 👉 Exam pearl: MRI = structure
MRA = vessels
2. Normal Anatomical Landmarks
Brain
• Frontal (executive), parietal (sensory), temporal (hearing), occipital
(vision)
• Normal CT/MRI: symmetric hemispheres, no midline shift
Cervical Spine
• C1–C7
• Normal: lordotic curve, intact alignment
Lumbar Spine
• L1–L5
• Landmark: Iliac crest = L4
• Clinical: LP done at L3–L4 or L4–L5
3. Mammogram – BI-RADS + Breast Density
BI-RADS Categories
• 0: Incomplete → more imaging
• 1: Negative
• 2: Benign
• 3: Probably benign → repeat in 6 months
• 4: Suspicious → biopsy
• 5: Highly suggestive of malignancy
• 6: Known cancer
Breast Density (A–D)
• A: Fatty
• B: Scattered
• C: Heterogeneously dense
NSG 550 – Quiz 3 Study Guide
1. MRI vs MRA (Know WHEN and WHY)
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)
• Indication: Soft tissue, tumors, spinal cord, MS, disc herniation
• Best for: Brain structure, spinal cord pathology
• Findings: Lesions, edema, demyelination
• Clinical tip: First-line for neurologic deficits without vascular
concern
MRA (Magnetic Resonance Angiography)
• Indication: Blood vessels (aneurysm, stenosis, AV malformation)
• Best for: Cerebral circulation
• Clinical tip: Order when suspecting stroke, aneurysm, vascular
compromise 👉 Exam pearl: MRI = structure
MRA = vessels
2. Normal Anatomical Landmarks
Brain
• Frontal (executive), parietal (sensory), temporal (hearing), occipital
(vision)
• Normal CT/MRI: symmetric hemispheres, no midline shift
Cervical Spine
• C1–C7
• Normal: lordotic curve, intact alignment
Lumbar Spine
• L1–L5
• Landmark: Iliac crest = L4
• Clinical: LP done at L3–L4 or L4–L5
3. Mammogram – BI-RADS + Breast Density
BI-RADS Categories
• 0: Incomplete → more imaging
• 1: Negative
• 2: Benign
• 3: Probably benign → repeat in 6 months
• 4: Suspicious → biopsy
• 5: Highly suggestive of malignancy
• 6: Known cancer
Breast Density (A–D)
• A: Fatty
• B: Scattered
• C: Heterogeneously dense
