What is the role of the medical assistant when scheduling a patient for an abdominal ultrasound?
Show What is an Abdomen Ultrasound and what does it do?An abdominal ultrasound uses reflected sound waves to produce a picture of the organs and other structures in the upper abdomen. Sometimes a specialized ultrasound is ordered for a detailed evaluation of a specific organ, such as a kidney ultrasound. An abdominal ultrasound can evaluate the:
Abdominal ultrasounds can be ordered a complete or limited. The abdomen limited includes images of the pancreas, liver, gallbladder, and right kidney. The abdomen complete includes imaging the aorta, IVC, pancreas, liver, gallbladder, right and left kidneys, and spleen. Why is it done?Abdominal ultrasound is done to:
Who performs the test?An ultrasonographer specifically trained or certified in Ultrasound imaging. Where does it take place?Jackson Hospital Outpatient Center Hudnall Building, Room 110, located adjacent to the Hospital. How long does it take?This exam generally takes about 30 minutes to complete. What can I do to make it a success?
What should I do before the exam?You must be NPO (nothing to eat or drink) for at least 8 hours prior to an abdominal ultrasound. You may take your medications with only a few sips of water. What happens during the exam?First, the technologist will explain the exam and may ask you historical questions that aid in obtaining a more diagnostic exam. You will lie on your back (or on your side) on a padded exam table. Warmed gel will be spread on your abdomen to improve the quality of the sound waves. A small handheld unit called a transducer is pressed against your abdomen and moved back and forth over it. A picture of the organs and blood vessels can be seen on a video monitor. You may be asked to change positions so more scans can be done. For a kidney ultrasound, you may be asked to lie on your stomach. You need to lie very still while the ultrasound scan is being done. You may be asked to take a breath and hold it for several seconds during the scanning. This lets the sonographer see organs and structures, such as the bile ducts, more clearly because they are not moving. Holding your breath also temporarily pushes the liver and spleen lower into the belly so they are not hidden by the lower ribs, which makes it harder for the sonographer to see them clearly. What should I do after the exam?The radiologist will review your image(s) and a final report will go to your ordering physician in 24–48 hours. Contact Information:Ultrasound Department (at main hospital): (850)
718-2582 Contact UsOffice Hours Hospital (main operator) Surgery Department Surgery Waiting Room PACU/OPS Surgery fax What is the prep for abdominal ultrasound?You typically need to avoid food and drinks (fast) for eight to 12 hours before an abdominal ultrasound. Food and liquids in your stomach (and urine in your bladder) can make it difficult for the technician to get a clear picture of the structures in your abdomen.
What do you do to prepare for an ultrasound?Most ultrasound exams require no preparation. However, there are a few exceptions: For some scans, such as a gallbladder ultrasound, your care provider may ask that you not eat or drink for a certain period of time before the exam. Others, such as a pelvic ultrasound, may require a full bladder.
What type of patient preparation is required for a transabdominal ultrasound scan?EAT/DRINK : Drink a minimum of 24 ounces of clear fluid at least one hour before your appointment. Do not empty your bladder until after the exam. Generally, no fasting or sedation is required for a pelvic ultrasound, unless the ultrasound is part of another procedure that requires anesthesia.
What is checked in an abdominal ultrasound?Abdominal ultrasound is a type of imaging test. It is used to look at organs in the abdomen, including the liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys. The blood vessels that lead to some of these organs, such as the inferior vena cava and aorta, can also be examined with ultrasound.
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