Exam Preparation
CT Preparations
MRI Preparations
Ultrasound Preparations
Dialysis Procedures
Spine Injections
Angiograms
CT Preparations
If oral prep needed (see below), you may pick-up barium from Mountain Medical Imaging Center prior to the day of exam or arrive 2 hours early to your exam to drink it.
Any patient who is diabetic or 65+ years of age receiving intravenous contrast requires current serum BUN and Creatinine levels prior to exam.
Kidney Stone CT
No preparation needed.
Head CT
No preparation needed.
Neck CT
No preparation needed.
Chest CT
No food or drink 4 hours prior to exam.
Abdominal and/or Pelvic CT
Night prior to exam:
- No food or drink after midnight
Day of exam:
Arrive 2 hours prior to appt to drink barium or if picked up barium prior to exam:
- 90 minutes before exam drink 1 cup barium
- 60 minutes before exam drink 1 cup barium
- 30 minutes before exam drink 1 cup barium
Remember, after starting the oral preparation, eat or drink nothing until after the exam is complete.
CT Angiography
No food or drink 4 hours prior to exam.
Extremity CT
No preparation needed. Please bring any previous films.
Cardiac Calcification CT
No preparation needed.
MRI Preparations
If patients have pacemakers, aneurism clips or any implanted metal or electrical devices, please call to ensure that these will not result in cancellation of exam.
Ultrasound Preparations
Abdominal
Do not eat or drink anything from midnight the night before the exam until after the exam is completed. This includes not drinking any water, smoking or chewing gum.
Abdominal Vessels (Doppler)
Do not eat or drink anything from midnight the night before the exam until after the exam is completed. This includes not drinking any water, smoking or chewing gum.
Aorta Doppler
Do not eat or drink anything from midnight the night before the exam until after the exam is completed. This includes not drinking any water, smoking or chewing gum.
Appendix
No preparation needed.
Bladder
A full bladder is essential for this exam. Drink 32 oz of fluid prior to the exam, finishing 1 hour prior to starting the exam. You may wish to void prior to starting drinking, but once you start, do not void until after the exam is completed.
Breast
No preparation needed.
Carotid Doppler
No preparation needed.
Extremity
No preparation needed.
Hip (Infant)
No preparation needed.
Intravaginal Pelvic Ultrasound Only
No preparation needed.
Early OB (prior to 13 weeks)
A full bladder is essential for this exam. Drink 32 oz of fluid prior to the exam, finishing 1 hour prior to starting the exam. You may wish to void prior to starting drinking, but once you start, do not void until after the exam is completed..
Pelvic
A full bladder is essential for this exam. Drink 32 oz of fluid prior to the exam, finishing 1 hour prior to starting the exam. You may wish to void prior to starting drinking, but once you start, do not void until after the exam is completed. If your bladder is not full when you arrive for your appointment, you will be rescheduled for another appointment time.
Pelvic and Renal
A full bladder is essential for this exam. Drink 32 oz of fluid prior to the exam, finishing 1 hour prior to starting the exam. You may wish to void prior to starting drinking, but once you start, do not void until after the exam is completed.
If your bladder is not full when you arrive for your appointment, you will be rescheduled for another appointment time.
Pelvic and Abdomen
No food or drink after midnight except water. Drink 32 oz water one hour prior to exam.
Renal and Bladder
A full bladder is essential for this exam. Drink 32 oz of fluid prior to the exam, finishing 1 hour prior to starting the exam. You may wish to void prior to starting drinking, but once you start, do not void until after the exam is completed.
Sonohysterogram
No preparation needed. The exam must be scheduled on the 8th, 9th, or 10th day of the onset of the patient's menstrual cycle. The patient should call for an appointment the first day their cycle begins.
Stomach/Pyloris (Infant)
No preparation needed. Parent should bring a bottle. The baby will be drinking water during the exam.
Testicular
No preparation needed.
Thyroid
No preparation needed.
Venous Doppler (Unilateral)
No preparation needed.
Venous Doppler (Bilateral)
Dialysis Procedures
Including Tunnel Catheters, Fistulagrams or Declots
- No food or drink 2 hours prior to exam
- If taking blood thinners-stop 3 days prior
- Bring Driver
Spine Injections
Including NRB, Epidural, Facet, Discograms and Myelograms
- No food or drink 2 hours prior to exam
- If taking blood thinners-stop 3 days prior
- Bring Driver
- Bring previous MRI or Ct films if done at another institution
- Take regular pain medications the day of procedure
- Notify us if there have been prior contrast reactions
Angiograms
- No food or drink after midnight prior to exam, encourage fluids morning of exam
- if taking blood thinners-stop 3 days prior
- Bring Driver
- Notify us if there have been prior contrast reactions
