| If your doctor has ordered an abdominal | | | | four glasses of water anywhere from 1-1/2 to |
| ultrasound as a diagnostic measure of your | | | | 2 hours before the scheduled test. Don't |
| medical symptoms, you will need to follow | | | | skimp, and don't overdo it. Drink exactly as |
| preparatory directions carefully to get a | | | | much as you should. If this poses any kind of |
| clear, accurate ultrasound for the | | | | problem for you, call the doctor before the |
| technician's reading and your doctor's | | | | day of the test to explain your concerns, and |
| interpretation. Those who have had | | | | he or she will advise you how to proceed. If |
| ultrasounds previously may have an idea of | | | | you are drinking a lot of fluid to prepare |
| what to expect, although each test is | | | | for the test, be prepared to have a strong |
| different and may examine differing parts of | | | | urge to urinate. Yet you should try to avoid |
| the abdomen. An ultrasound of this area might | | | | using the bathroom if the directions indicate |
| check your liver, gall bladder, spleen, | | | | this. You will be able to do right after the |
| kidneys, bladder, urethra, and reproductive | | | | test, usually in a bathroom located in the |
| organs, among others. | | | | test room. On the day of the test, wear |
| | | | clothing that is easy to remove, especially |
| Discuss with your doctor during the | | | | on the lower half of your body. Tight-fitting |
| consultation what the test is for. Ask him or | | | | jeans, a girdle, or other snug garments may |
| her about how to prepare, although the nurse | | | | take a little longer to take off and put back |
| may explain this after your examination, or | | | | on, but it will be up to you whether to wear |
| by a set of printed instructions that you | | | | these or not. Avoid wearing body creams, |
| will be given upon leaving the office, or | | | | lotions, or powders, as these could interfere |
| that may be mailed to you by the ultrasound | | | | with the ultrasound scanner. You can ask the |
| department as part of your confirmation and | | | | doctor ahead of time if you really want to |
| preparatory packet. Read over the written | | | | wear something like this. |
| steps carefully to be sure you understand | | | | |
| each one. A simple misstep could compromise | | | | During the ultrasound exam, the technician |
| the test's integrity, or force you to | | | | may take a personal medical history or ask |
| reschedule another time and follow the | | | | questions about your symptoms. He or she is |
| preparations precisely. | | | | not permitted to read the test in progress or |
| | | | give you an indication of findings. A |
| Typically, you may be asked to neither eat | | | | specialist will review test results and |
| nor drink after midnight. Sometimes you may | | | | contact you doctor with his or her |
| be allowed a sip of water with needed | | | | impression, and your doctor will relay this |
| medication, or even an eight-ounce glass of | | | | information to you, along with a plan of |
| clear liquid. For other abdominal ultrasound | | | | treatment, if one is needed. |
| examinations, you will have to drink three or | | | | |