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Preparing for a CT Scan

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What to Expect

You will be asked to fill out a short medical history questionnaire before your CT scan. Once completed, you may be asked to remove jewelry and metal objects, such as watches, necklaces, eyeglasses, and the like.

If your chest, abdomen, or pelvis are being scanned, you may need to change into a hospital gown. If the exam will use IV contrast, an IV line will be placed by the CT technologist once the patient is in the exam room (see general instructions). You will lie on a table that slides into the scanner.

Most CT exams take about five minutes. You will be required to remain still during this time.

General Instructions

Instructions for taking Oral Contrast (Barium Sulfate)

  1. Do not eat or drink anything three hours prior to your appointment time.
  2. Shake the contrast well before drinking. It does not need to be refrigerated, but tastes better when cold.
  3. Begin drinking the contrast one and a half hours before your scheduled exam time. Drink one-third of a bottle every fifteen minutes. Save the last third and bring it with you to your appointment.

If you are taking the drug Glucophage (or something similar) for diabetes, please let the technologist know before you are scanned. If you are allergic to iodine or have had a reaction to CT dye in the past, please call as soon as possible to receive special instructions and medications.

Enteroclysis Drinking Instructions (Volumon Contrast )

  1. Do not eat or drink three hours prior to your appointment time.
  2. Shake the contrast well before drinking. It does not need to be refrigerated, but tastes better when cold.
  3. Begin drinking the contrast one hour prior to your scheduled exam time. Drink first bottle in 20 min, drink second bottle in 20 min, and half of the third bottle in 20 min. Save the last half of the third bottle for visit to CT.

Intravenous Contrast (Dye) Allergies

If you previously had an allergic reaction to intravenous contrast (dye) for a CT scan, angiogram, or heart catheterization, you must take the 13-hour premedication preparation (doctor prescribed).

Enteroclysis

  • For enteroclysis do not eat or drink 6 hours prior to your exam.

Biopsy/Drain Placements

  • For biopsy or drain placement, do not eat or drink after midnight.

IV Sedation

If sedated by IV, you must do the following:

  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight or eight hours previous.
  • Bring someone to drive you home.

General Anesthesia

If the procedure will be performed while you are under general anesthesia (doctor prescribed), you must do the following:

  • Arrive one and a half hours early to check into admitting.
  • Do not eat or drink anything eight hours previous.