Preparing for Your Exam
To ensure that radiologic examinations are performed safely and accurately, many require specific preparation. If you are scheduled for one of the following studies, please follow the instructions below.
To print our patient exam preparation instructions, please click here: Patient Exam Instructions
Arthrogram / Joint Injection:
Stop blood thinner medication 5 days prior. Driver needed.
Barium Enema:
Colon cleansing prep needed. Pick up from us and follow included directions.
Breast biopsy / Thyroid biopsy:
For breast, No deodorant, perfume, powder, or lotions on breasts or underarms breast, The patient must have a driver.
CT Abdomen, Pelvis, and/or Pancreas:
Pick up Barium drink from us. You will need to drink it 2 hours before your exam. Arrive ½ hour before exam for a second drink. Nothing else to eat or drink except necessary medications 4 hours prior to exam.
CTA, CT with contrast:
Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior.
CTA Coronary Arteries:
Same as CT with contrast. No erectile dysfunction drugs for 48 hours prior. No caffeine, decongestants, or antihistamines for 24 hours prior. Arrive at least 1 hour 15 minutes before exam time.
CT Biopsy or Angiogram:
Patient must have driver, nothing to eat or drink except necessary meds after midnight (or 8 hours prior). Arrive 1 hour prior to exam. Bring prior x-rays, CT, angiogram.
CT Enterography:
Clear liquids on the day prior to exam. Nothing to eat or drink except necessary meds the day of exam. Arrive here 1 hour prior to exam for drink.
CT Urogram:
Drink 32 oz. water one to two hours before exam. Nothing to eat for 4 hours prior.
HSG (Hysterosalpingogram):
Driver needed. No intercourse 7-10 days prior. Exam must be performed 7-10 days after start of menstrual cycle.
IVP (Intravenous Pyelogram):
Bowel prep needed. Get a 12 oz. bottle of magnesium citrate from a pharmacy and drink it the evening before your test. Nothing to eat or drink until the test except necessary medication like high blood pressure medicine.
Mammography:
No deodorant, perfume, powder, or lotions on breasts or underarms. These may interfere with the test. Bring prior mammograms.
MRI & MRA:
No pacemakers, aneurysm clips (newer ones may be OK), nerve stimulators, eye injuries from metal.
MRI Prostate:
No pacemakers, aneurysm clips (newer ones may be OK), nerve stimulators, eye injuries from metal. Avoid carbonated drinks 24 hours prior to exam. Nothing to eat or drink 8 hours prior to exam (water and medication is OK). Fleets Enema 3 hours prior to exam time. Patient must pick-up Fleet Enema at local pharmacy. Please bring most recent biopsy and PSA lab results with you to the appointment.
Myelogram/Lumbar Puncture:
Driver needed.
Ultrasound Abdomen, Liver, Gallbladder, Pancreas:
Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours prior to exam.
Ultrasound - Retroperitoneal/Kidneys:
A full bladder is needed. Drink 24 oz. water one hour prior to exam. Keep bladder full, do not empy bladder until instructed by technologist.
Ultrasound - Pelvis, OB:
A full bladder is needed. Drink 48 oz. of water within thirty minutes, 1 ½ hours prior to exam. Keep bladder full, do not empty bladder until instructed by technologist.
Upper GI, Esophagram, Small Bowel:
Nothing to eat or drink after midnight before test. No gum or nicotine day of exam.
If you have a question about exam preparation instructions, call our Patient Care Center at 702-759-8600 prior to your exam.
