Examination Preparations

All of the studies we perform require different types of preparation. Click on the specific study to see what type of preparation is necessary. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call your local Zwanger-Pesiri office. For Nuclear Medicine or PET/CT questions, call your local Zwanger-Pesiri office and enter extension 4886. Click here to download and print the exam preparation handout. Click here to download and print the exams with contrast preparation handout.

For All Exams:

• Please have your referral/prescription from your doctor and your insurance card when you arrive for your appointment.
• Continue taking any prescription medications, which may be taken with a few sips of water prior to exam.
• Wear comfortable, loose clothing. Do not wear jewelry.

MRI/MRA

**PRECAUTION**

This exam may not be performed if you have a cardiac pacemaker, cerebral aneurysm clips or a metallic hearing implant. If you are a sheet metal worker or have ever had metal fragments in your eye(s), an orbit x-ray will be taken prior to your MRI exam.

Wear comfortable loose fitting clothes, such as a sweatsuit. Be sure there are no metal zippers, snaps or buckles. Do not wear earrings, hairpins or jewelry. Do not apply eye shadow or mascara.

If you are receiving IV Contrast for your MRI/MRA exam, click here to view your exam preparations, in addition to the following preps.

CT Scan

*If you have a history of asthma, an allergy to iodine or are currently taking medication for diabetes, please notify our staff.

If you are receiving OMNIPAQUE oral contrast for your exam, click here to view your preparations.

If you are receiving REDI-CAT oral contrast for your exam, click here to view your preparations.

Spine without contrast - No preparation necessary.

Brain/Chest/Neck without contrast - No preparation necessary.

Abdomen/Pelvis without contrast - Nothing to eat, drink, smoke or chew 3 hours prior to your exam time (2 hours for diabetics).

CTA - Follow specific instructions given at the time of scheduling an appointment.

Stone Hunt - No preparation necessary.

Digital X-Ray

IVP - Click here to view your exam preparations

Esophagram/Upper G.I. Series/Small Bowel Series - Have a light dinner the night before the exam. Nothing to eat, drink, chew or smoke after 10:00 pm until after the exam is complete in the morning.

Barium Enema (B.E.) - Pick up preparation kit at least two days prior to the exam.

Ultrasound

Aortic/Abdominal/Gallbladder - Nothing to eat, drink, chew or smoke for four to six hours prior to your exam.

Pelvic/Obstetrical - A full bladder is necessary for the exam. Have breakfast and/or lunch. Women: drink at least 32 oz. of water/Men: at least 16 oz. of water, finishing 1 hour prior to exam. Do not empty your bladder.

Prostate - Take a fleet enema at least one hour prior to the exam. Nothing to eat or drink after fleet enema.

Breast/Scrotal/Thyroid - No preparation necessary.

Renal - 16 oz. glass of water one hour prior to study. Do not void.

Color-Flow Doppler - No preparation necessary.

Renal Arterial Study - Nothing to eat, drink, chew or smoke for three to five hours prior to your exam. In addition, consult your physician before taking gas-X one hour before the exam.

Digital Mammography

Do not apply lotions, deodorant, perfume or powder on the day of the exam. Wear comfortable two piece clothing. Bring previous mammography studies for comparison if possible.

DXA Bone Densitometry

No preparation necessary.

PET/CT Scan

Call your local Zwanger-Pesiri office and enter extension 4886 for exam preparations.

Nuclear Medicine

Thyroid Scan - Discontinue all thyroid medications and vitamins with Iodine for at least 10 days prior to the exam.

Bone Scan - No preparation necessary.

Liver Scan - No preparation necessary.

Preparations for Exams with Contrast

**PRECAUTION**

IF YOU ARE RECEIVING IV CONTRAST FOR A CT SCAN, MRI, MRA OR IVP, AND ARE OVER 70, DIABETIC (regardless of age or medication), or HAVE ONLY ONE KIDNEY, you must have a BLOOD TEST showing BUN and Creatinine levels drawn within the last six weeks. The results must be forwarded to us or brought with you on the day of your test.

IV Contrast Prep for CT Scan

Nothing to eat or drink 3 hours prior to your exam time. (2 hours for diabetics).

IV Contrast MRI/MRA of the Abdomen

Nothing to eat or drink 3 hours prior to your exam time. (2 hours for diabetics).

Omnipaque Oral Contrast Prep For CT Scan of Abdomen and Pelvis

**PRECAUTION**

**Do not ingest if you have an iodine allergy.**

Pick up your OMNIPAQUE contrast kit from our office (contrast bottle, 32 oz cup, lid, straw) before your test. Begin drinking the OMNIPAQUE oral prep 1 hour before your exam.

1. Pour the entire contents of the OMNIPAQUE bottle into the 32 oz cup given at the office.
2. Fill the cup (given at the office) to approximately 1/2 inch from the top of the cup (approx. 30 oz)
3. Stir well and drink.
4. Discard the cup, contrast bottle, and straw after use.

REDI-CAT Contrast Prep For CT Scan of Abdomen and Pelvis

• Refrigerate REDI-CAT (Shake well before drinking)
• Begin drinking REDI-CAT 2 hours prior to exam, finishing within 90 minutes.
• You may be asked to drink another small cup at your exam time.

IVP

The day before exam, drink 1 bottle of Citrate of Magnesia at 4:00 pm. Nothing to eat, drink, smoke or chew past 10:00 pm.