Ultrasound - Delta Hospital

Outpatient preparations for ultrasound exams

Abdomen scan (gallbladder, liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, aorta)

• If your appointment is in the morning, nothing to eat or drink after midnight
• If your appointment is in the afternoon you may drink clear fat-free fluids in the morning
• Diabetic patients may have a light, fat-free meal 6 hours before the scheduled appointment

Pelvic scan (male pelvis and non-biopsy prostate or female pelvis)

• A FULL BLADDER IS ESSENTIAL for this exam.  You may eat and take all your regular medications.
• Come well hydrated for your exam, the day prior drink plenty of water.  On the day of the exam, empty your bladder 2 hours before your appointment and then drink 1 litre of water over the next 30 minutes.  If the instructions are not followed, another appointment may have to be made.
• DO NOT EMPTY YOUR BLADDER UNTIL AFTER YOUR EXAMINATION

Obstetrical scan

• A FULL BLADDER IS ESSENTIAL for this exam.  You may eat and take all your regular medications.
• Come well hydrated for your exam, the day prior drink plenty of water.  On the day of the exam, empty your bladder 1 hour before your appointment and then drink 2 (8-oz) cups of water.  If the instructions are not followed, another appointment may have to be made.
• Do NOT empty your bladder until after your examination or until instructed to do so by the sonographer.

Renal scan (kidney, ureters, bladder)

• If the instructions are not followed, another appointment may have to be made
• Empty your bladder 1 hour before your appointment and then drink 1 litre of water over the next 30 minutes.
• DO NOT EMPTY YOUR BLADDER UNTIL AFTER YOUR EXAMINATION

Pediatric preparations

• Please call the medical imaging department directly to receive preparation information and instructions for children under the age of 16.