What is FLUOROSCOPY?

How do I prepare for my FLUOROSCOPY EXAM?

• Wear comfortable cotton clothing without metal snaps; you may be asked to change into a patient gown

• Please notify your physician for further instructions if you are pregnant or have allergies to iodine

The following preparations are required based on which examination your physician orders; these are general guidelines. Specific instructions will be provided by your physician:

Barium Enema/Air Contrast Colon

2 days before the exam: Stay on a low residue diet. If you are on medication or a special diet, please consult your physician

8:00am Breakfast: Liquids only, no dairy products

10:30am Take two (2) Bisacodyl (laxative) tablets with 8 ounces of water

12:00 noon Lunch: Take clear soup, clear fruit juices, clear Jello, black coffee or tea or carbonated beverages

You may continue with clear liquids through the afternoon

6:00pm Dinner: Clear soup, clear Jello, clear liquid for beverage. You may have a low residue drink such as “Boost” or “Ensure”

Day before the exam:

8:00am Breakfast: Clear liquids only

9:00am Drink 8 ounces of clear liquids or water

10:00am Drink 8 ounces of clear liquids or water

10:30am Pour the 1.2 ounce package of Magnesium Citrate (a laxative) into a large 8 ounce glass of water. Stir and drink.

11:00am Drink 8 ounces of clear liquids or water

12:00 noon You may have a low residue drink such as “Boost” or “Ensure”

1:00pm Take 2 Bisacodyl tables with 8 ounces of water

2:00pm Drink 8 ounces clear liquids or water

3:00pm Take remaining 2 Bisacodyl tablets with 8 ounces of water

4:00pm Drink 8 ounces clear liquids or water

6:00pm Clear liquid dinner. No low residue drink

7:00pm Drink 8 ounces clear liquids or water

8:00pm Drink 8 ounces clear liquids or water

9:00pm Drink 8 ounces clear liquids or water

Morning of exam: Do not eat or drink anything! You do not need to use the enclosed suppository. Do not take any medication this morning but you may bring them with you to take at the conclusion of the exam.

Clear Liquid/Low Residue Diet:

A clear liquid/low residue diet includes the following: Clear Jell-O, all carbonated beverages, clear juices (no tomato, orange, or unfiltered apple juices), water, clear tea or coffee (may use sugar but no dairy), broth, popsicles, any low residue drink such as “Boost” or “Ensure”. The low residue drinks may be used on the first day of the diet at the 6:00pm dinner and at the noon meal on the day before the exam. Other than these two times, please drink ONLY the clear liquids.

Alternate times:

The second (10:30am) set of Bisacodyl tablets may be taken later in the day around 3pm. The third set of Bisacodyl tablets would then be taken around 7pm and the last set at 9pm, if your work schedule requires. It is important to continue the liquids through 9pm as instructed.

Post Exam Instructions:

You may resume your normal diet. In addition, drink extra fluids and take a mild laxative to rid your system of any remaining barium.

1. Upper GI (Stomach, Small Intestine, etc)

2. Barium Swallow (Esophagus)

3. Small Bowel Follow-Through:

On the day before your exam have clear liquid diet only. This includes clear broth, clear Jell-O, carbonated beverages, clear juices, water, clear tea or coffee (no milk) or Popsicles.

Take two (2) Dulcolax (Bisacodyl) tablets between 10am and noon the day before the exam

Take two (2) Dulcolax (Bisacodyl) tablets between 3pm and 5pm the day before the exam

Take nothing by mouth the day of the exam until the exam is completed

Allow up to 4 hours for the examination

Intravenous Pyelogram (Kidney Study with CT Scan & Fluoroscopy):

Between 3:00pm and 5:00pm on the day before your examination take a laxative such as “Milk of Magnesia”. Follow the instructions provided with the laxative. Dinner is permitted.

If your examination is in the morning, NO food or drink for 4 hours prior to your exam

If your examination is in the afternoon have a liquid breakfast (no solids). Omit lunch and food thereafter. Small amounts of fluids are permitted, however, no fluids (including water) should be taken for 4 hours prior to your exam.

Voiding Cystourethrogram (VCUG)

Day before the exam:

Regular Dinner

Take 2 Bisacodyl tablets at 5:00pm

Take 2 Bisacodyl tablets at 7:00pm

Day of the exam:

Light Breakfast

Nothing to eat or drink after 10:00am

**Patients age 6 to 12

Day before the exam:

Regular Dinner

Take one dose of over-the-counter childrens’ laxative between 5:00pm and 7:00pm

Day of the exam:

Light Breakfast

Nothing to eat or drink after 10:00am