Preparing for your Exam
Biopsy Studies
Avoid aspirin or similar products for 10 days prior to procedure. Light meal only the morning of the exam.
Breast Studies
Do not use deodorant, powder or lotion in the breast or underarm area. For your comfort, 2-piece outfits are recommended. It is imperative that you bring any previous mammogram films to your appointment.
CT Studies
CT Scan with IV Contrast
This examination lasts approximately 30-60 minutes.
The day of your appointment:
Four hours prior to your exam drink ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS. See list of suggested clear liquids.
CT of the Abdomen, Abdomen/Pelvis or Pelvis with IV Contrast and Barium Prep
See listing of WRA offices where preparations may be picked up. This examination lasts approximately 30-60 minutes.
Morning Appointments:
- At 9 pm the evening prior to your examination drink one bottle of barium.
- Four hours prior to your examination drink ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS. See list of suggested clear liquids.
- Two hours prior to your examination drink one bottle of barium.
Afternoon Appointments:
- At 8 am the day of your appointment drink one bottle of barium.
- Four hours prior to your examination drink ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS. See list of suggested clear liquids.
- Two hours prior to your examination drink one bottle of barium.
CT Virtual Colonoscopy
To ensure the highest quality study, it is very important that you strictly follow the directions below. The prep consists of 4 parts:
- Follow the low fiber/low residue diet which begins 3 days before your CT Virtual Colonoscopy.
- Drink the Banana Smoothie Barium.
- Take MoviPrep.
- Drink the MD-Gastroview oral contrast agent.
Before you can prepare for this exam, you must first:
- Pick up from WRA two bottles of Banana Smoothie (a flavored barium solution), and one bottle of MD-Gastroview. See listing of WRA offices where preparations may be picked up.
- Purchase MoviPrep from your pharmacy. Our office will give you a prescription.
If you have a history of severe constipation or have had difficulty with bowel preparations previously, please speak with your physician or with one of the WRA physicians before taking this preparation.
Three days before your exam:
A low fiber/low residue diet is required for best results beginning 3 days prior to your CT Virtual Colonoscopy. Follow this diet for two days, and then have only clear liquids the day before the exam. For example, if your CT Virtual Colonoscopy study is on Thursday, you would follow the low fiber/low residue diet on Monday and Tuesday, and then have clear liquids only on Wednesday. See list of recommended and non-recommended low residue foods.
Two days before your exam:
- Follow the low residue diet all day.
- Drink one bottle of Banana Smoothie barium at lunch.
The day before your exam:
- Do not eat any solid foods; drink only clear liquids.
- Drink one bottle of Banana Smoothie barium at lunch.
- Take the MoviPrep that you purchased from the pharmacy. Begin between 4-7 pm, the earlier the better. (Follow the “Evening-Before” Regimen in the directions that come with the MoviPrep.)
- At 9 PM, drink the entire 30 ml bottle of the MD-Gastroview mixed with Sprite, Ginger Ale, Cranberry or another juice of your choosing.
The morning of the exam:
- Do not eat any solid foods; drink only clear liquids.
CT Virtual Colonoscopy: Iodine Allergy
To ensure the highest quality study, it is very important that you strictly follow the directions below. The prep consists of 3 parts:
- Follow the low fiber/low residue diet which begins 3 days before your Virtual Colonoscopy.
- Drink the Banana Smoothie Barium.
- Take MoviPrep.
Before you can prepare for this exam, you must first:
- Pick up from WRA two bottles of Banana Smoothie (a flavored barium solution). See listing of WRA offices where preparations may be picked up.
- Purchase MoviPrep from your pharmacy. Our office will give you a prescription.
If you have a history of severe constipation or have had difficulty with bowel preparations previously, please speak with your physician or with one of the WRA physicians before taking this preparation.
Three days before your exam:
A low fiber/low residue diet is required for best results beginning 3 days prior to your Virtual Colonoscopy. Follow this diet for two days, and then have only clear liquids the day before the exam. For example, if your Virtual Colonoscopy study is on Thursday, you would follow the low fiber/low residue diet on Monday and Tuesday, and then have clear liquids only on Wednesday. See list of recommended and non-recommended low residue foods.
Two days before your exam:
- Follow the low residue diet all day.
- Drink one bottle of Banana Smoothie barium at lunch.
The day before your exam:
- Do not eat any solid foods; drink only clear liquids.
- Take the MoviPrep that you purchased from the pharmacy. Begin between 4-7 pm, the earlier the better. (Follow the “Evening-Before” Regimen in the directions that come with the MoviPrep.)
- At 9 PM, drink one bottle of Banana Smoothie barium.
The morning of the exam:
- Do not eat any solid foods; drink only clear liquids.
Cardiac CT Imaging
Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring
The actual CT exam takes just a few minutes and there is no patient preparation or contrast administration. However, patients should avoid caffeinated drinks at least four hours prior to their appointment.
Cardiac Computed Tomography Angiography
No alcohol one day prior to your scan. Increase fluid (water) intake the day prior to the study. No caffeine 12 hours prior to scan. Nothing by mouth 4 hours prior to scan (except beta blocker 2 hours prior). Eating solid foods or liquids during this time may require rescheduling your appointment. Do not take Insulin or oral hypoglycemic medications 4 hours prior to scan. Take other medications as usual with a small amount of water. Take beta blocker as prescribed by your doctor. If available, please bring a copy of your recent EKG and blood work (BUN/Creatinine if diabetic or over age 60).
DXA/VFA
Avoid wearing clothing with metal snaps, buttons, etc. No calcium supplements on day of scan. No x-ray contrast studies 5 days before scan.
General X-Rays
General x-ray is offered as a walk-in service from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in Sterling, Fairfax, Bethesda, Chevy Chase and on the 9th floor at 2141 K Street in DC. No preparation is required. However, weight restrictions do apply to some diagnostic x-ray studies at WRA. If you are a patient that weighs more than 300 pounds, please call the WRA office nearest you to confirm that your exam can be performed.
Fluoroscopy Studies
Barium Enema
See listing of WRA offices where preparations may be picked up. This examination lasts approximately one hour. Please follow the directions carefully to ensure that you have a clean colon. Do not eat any fruit or vegetables for two days before the exam. In addition:
The day before your appointment:
- The entire day before your appointment, drink ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS. No breakfast or snacks. See list of suggested clear liquids.
- At 1 pm, 3 pm, 7 pm and 10 pm, drink one full glass of water (or more).
- At 5 pm take 10 ounces (one bottle) of magnesium citrate (laxative) by mouth. See instructions for magnesium citrate.
- At 8 pm take four Dulcolax or Biscolax tablets (laxative) by mouth. See special instructions for Dulcolax or Biscolax.
- Do not take any cleansing enemas or suppositories prior to your examination.
The day of your appointment:
- In the morning you may have ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS. See list of suggested clear liquids.
- Adequate bowel cleansing is essential to perform this exam. If you are passing any stool or stool particles, please call the office where your appointment is scheduled (see list of office phone numbers) on the morning of your exam. You may need a second day of bowel preparation prior to your exam.
Barium Enema and IVP Combined Studies
This examination lasts approximately two hours. Please follow the directions carefully to ensure that you have a clean colon. Do not eat any fruit or vegetables for two days before exam. In addition:
The day before your appointment:
- The entire day before your appointment drink ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS. No breakfast or snacks. See list of suggested clear liquids.
- At 1 pm, 3 pm, 7 pm and 10 pm, drink one full glass of water (or more).
- At 5 pm take 10 ounces (one bottle) of magnesium citrate (laxative) by mouth. See special instructions for magnesium citrate.
- At 8 pm take four Dulcolax or Biscolax tablets (laxative) by mouth. See special instructions for Dulcolax or Biscolax .
- Do not take any cleansing enemas or suppositories prior to your examination.
The day of your appointment:
- In the morning you may have ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS. However, your fluid intake must be limited to no more than eight ounces during the four hours prior to your examination. See list of suggested clear liquids.
- Adequate bowel cleansing is essential to perform this exam. If you are passing any stool or stool particles, please call the WRA office where your appointment is scheduled (see list of office phone numbers) on the morning of your exam. You may need a second day of bowel preparation prior to your exam.
IVP
This examination lasts approximately one hour.
The day before your appointment:
- Prior to taking magnesium citrate, you may have a regular diet.
- At 5 pm take 10 ounces (one bottle) of magnesium citrate (laxative) by mouth. You may have a light evening meal. See instructions for magnesium citrate and special instructions for light evening meal.
The day of your appointment:
- In the morning you may have ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS. However, your fluid intake must be limited to no more than eight ounces during the four hours prior to your examination. See list of suggested clear liquids.
Upper GI or Upper GI with Small Bowel
The Upper GI exam lasts approximately one hour. The Upper GI with Small Bowel exam lasts two to five hours. We ask our patients to not take medications by mouth on the day of the exam as this could interfere with the quality of the exam. However, please consult with your physician if there are medications that you feel are necessary to take.
Morning Appointments
- After 8 pm the day prior to your exam, do not eat any solid food.
- After 8 pm and until midnight the day prior to your exam, drink ONLY CLEAR LIQUIDS. See list of suggested clear liquids.
- After midnight, do not eat, drink (NOT EVEN WATER), smoke or chew gum until your examination is completed.
Afternoon Appointments
- Do not eat, drink (NOT EVEN WATER), smoke or chew gum for six hours prior to your study and until it is completed.
MRI Studies
Inform us if you have a pacemaker, artificial heart valves, have any metal objects in your body, are pregnant, or are nursing. With contrast: No solid foods 4 hours before your study. Clear fluids are allowed up to 2 hours before your study. Without contrast: No foods or fluids up to 2 hours before your study.
Ultrasound Studies
Abdominal Sonogram
Do not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum after midnight the night before your morning appointment, or for at least 6 hours prior to your afternoon appointment.
HSG
For premenopausal women, this exam must be performed between day 6 and 11 of the patient’s menstrual cycle. Thirty to sixty minutes prior to exam, take 800 mg of Ibuprofen (if allowed by your doctor) with food. This exam cannot be performed during the patient’s menstrual period, if there is a possibility of the patient being pregnant, patient is pregnant, or patient has a pelvic infection.
Pelvic, Obstetric or Renal Sonogram
- Males and non-pregnant females: To accurately perform this exam you must have ample urine in your bladder. Do not empty your bladder starting one hour before your appointment. This is very important. Once the ultrasound is complete, our staff will tell you when you can use the restroom.
- Females less than 16 weeks pregnant: See instructions above.
- Nuchal Translucency (NT): This exam must be performed between 11 weeks 3 days and 13 weeks 6 days of the pregnancy. To accurately perform this exam you must have ample urine in your bladder. Do not empty your bladder starting one hour before your appointment. This is very important. Once the ultrasound is complete, our staff will tell you when you can use the restroom.
- Females more than 16 weeks pregnant: No preparation necessary.
Sonohysterogram
For premenopausal women, this exam must be performed between day 6 and 11 of the patient’s menstrual cycle. For all patients, 30–60 minutes prior to exam, take 800 mg of Ibuprofen (if allowed by your doctor) with food. You must have ample urine in your bladder in order to accurately perform this exam. Do not empty your bladder starting one hour before your appointment. This is very important. Once the ultrasound is complete, our staff will tell you when you can use the restroom. This exam cannot be performed during the patient’s menstrual period or other vaginal bleeding, if there is a possibility of the patient being pregnant, patient is pregnant, or patient has a pelvic infection.
Transrectal Prostate Sonogram
Purchase a Fleet enema from the pharmacy; use 1 hour before your appointment.
PET/CT
Although the actual PET/CT scan lasts just 30 minutes, there are additional on-site pre-scan preparations that are required. We advise allotting three hours for the entire appointment which includes the injection of a radioisotope and a one-hour rest period to allow the injection to be absorbed throughout the entire body. We need to know in advance if the patient is diabetic, pregnant or breast feeding. PET/CT patients must fast for at least six hours prior to the exam. During that time, patients may drink water only and take any prescribed medications. It is also important that PET/CT patients restrict any exercise 24-hours prior to the study. This means avoiding the treadmill, formal exercise, exerted walking, etc. All patients receive a preliminary low-dose CT scan which is used primarily for anatomic localization. We ask that you bring to your appointment any prior pertinent non-WRA studies (such as PET, CT, MRI exams) preferably on a CD, as well as the associated written reports.
- Diagnostic CT: Your doctor may order a more detailed CT scan as part of the examination (using oral and/or intravenous contrast). This exam will be performed at the same time and will require an additional 15 minutes. Any oral contrast ordered will be given to you by our staff after you arrive. IV contrast will be administered during the CT scan through the same IV used for the PET/CT. We need to know if you have had any previous reaction to IV contrast or have a significant allergy history. Follow the preparation instructions for PET/CT above.
Nuclear Medicine
Female patients should tell their doctor if they may be pregnant or breast-feeding.
Bone Scan
After receiving an injection you will be asked to drink plenty of fluid during a 2-4 hour period. You will return for a scan 2-3 hours after the injection.
Thyroid/Parathyroid Scans
Do not eat/drink after midnight the night prior to your scheduled appointment. No seafood should be eaten for 3 days prior to the study. You should not have any study or medication that contained Iodine within the past 3 weeks. This should be arranged through your referring physician. You will be given a capsule in the morning and asked to return 5-6 hours later for your scan. The scan will take about 1 hour.
Hepatoboliary (HIDA) Scans, Gastric Emptying
Do not have anything to eat/drink 6 hours prior to your appointment. Your scan will take 60-90 minutes.
Gallium Scans
No preparation is necessary for the injection portion of this exam. We will supply you with instructions involving preparation for your scan at the time of your injection. You will receive an injection and then depending on your specific diagnosis will return 24, 48 or 72 hours later for your scan.
Renal Scans
Inform your doctor or our nuclear medicine staff if you are taking any medications when you make your appointment. This study requires that you avoid Captopril or diuretic medication for 48 hours prior to your appointment. No other preparation is necessary. Your scan will take about 30 -60 minutes.
Myocardial Imaging
Do not have anything to eat/drink 6 hours prior to your appointment. Check with your Cardiologist about taking any medication.
Iodine Whole Body
Inform your doctor or our nuclear medicine staff if you are taking any medications when you make your appointment. This study requires that you avoid iodine contrast for 6 weeks prior to your appointment.
Indium Scan
No preparation is necessary. You will be asked to come in the morning to have your blood drawn. You will return 4 - 5 hours later for an injection. You will then return the following day for your scan, which will take about 1 hour.
Thyroid Scan/Uptake
Inform your doctor or our nuclear medicine staff if you are taking any medications when you make your appointment. Different medications require different waiting periods to perform this study.
