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Ultrasound Preparation

Click to listen to this page using ReadPleaseUltrasound is a diagnostic scan that uses sound waves and detectors passed over the body part to produce an image on the monitor. It does not use x-rays. It is used for organ evaluation, blood flow, pregnancy, identification of lesions for biopsy, and evaluation of the heart muscle and valves.

 

Pelvic, Pregnancy and Urinary Tract

  • Drink plenty of fluids (4-6 glasses) starting about 1½ hours before the test. As the bladder must feel uncomfortably full, do not empty the bladder until the scan is completed.(All pregnancy scans must have a full bladder.)

 

Abdominal

  • Do not eat or drink anything for 12 hours before the scan

 

Abdominal and Pelvic

  • Do not eat for 12 hours before the scan
  • You may drink water only for 12 hours before the scan
  • Drink 4-6 glasses of water starting about 1½ hours before the scan. As the bladder must feel uncomfortably full, do not empty the bladder until the scan is completed.

 

Kidney only, Breast, Vascular Studies (Doppler’s), and Echocardiograms

  • No preparation necessary