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Exam Preparations
General Patient Information
- Arrive 15 minutes prior to the appointment time to complete the paperwork. For your convenience, you may download the forms in the “forms” section of the web site to complete the forms in the comfort of your home.
- Bring your health insurance documents (insurance cards, etc.)
- Some insurances require a pre-authorization/referral to be obtained prior to your test. Please check with your insurance company for your plan- specific requirements.
- If you are visiting us because of a motor vehicle accident or injury on the job, please bring the name of the insurance company that will be paying for your test, the adjuster’s name and phone number, the claim number and the date of the accident/injury.
- Please bring pertinent prior imaging exams/reports for comparison.
- Please contact us prior to your appointment if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or suspect that you may be pregnant.
- Please leave all valuables at home whenever possible. We will provide you with a locker to store your belongings during your exam.
- Copay is due at the time of appointment.
PET/CT for oncology or brain
- Nothing to eat or drink for 6 hours prior to the test with the exception of water and your regular medications. No candy, gum, or mints.
- Diabetic patients should have nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to the test and may need to adjust insulin intake to coincide with the last meal prior to the injection for the scan.
- No vigorous exercise for 24 hours prior to the test
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or think you might be pregnant, please contact us prior to your exam.
CT Colonography Preparation
- A bowel prep is required for this study. You must pick up the bowel prep a minimum of two days before the exam. The technologist will provide you with instructions on how to take the prep.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or think you might be pregnant, please contact us prior to your exam.
Coronary CTA
- Nothing to eat 3hrs prior to the exam
- No caffeine or smoking on the day of the exam
- No decaffeinated beverages, chocolate or anything that may contain caffeine
- Drink plenty of fluids the morning of the exam
- You may need to take oral beta blockers. If so, your doctor will give you a prescription. Please follow your doctor’s instructions on how to take the medications. Feel free to call us with any questions.
- Please bring any EKG, Stress Test or previous CT reports that you may have.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or think you might be pregnant, please contact us prior to your exam.
CT- Scan Preparation
If your test requires oral contrast (barium), you may pick it up the day before the exam. Please contact us with any questions.
CT With IV Contrast
- Nothing to eat 3 hours prior to the exam.
- Blood work is required for patients over the age of 60, diabetic patients and patients with renal issues, within the prior 3 months of exam date. Please ask your doctor to fax your blood work results to us prior to your appointment.
- Patients in renal failure can have the test as long as dialysis will be performed 24 hours after the exam.
- Pre-medication required for patients with known allergies to contrast media and patients taking medication for asthma on a daily basis. Please contact us if you think you might need to be premedicated.
- Patients taking glucaphage, glucovance, metformin, metaglip, advandamet, actoplus met, must stop their medication for 48 hours after the exam. Please contact your doctor before starting your medication again.
- Please bring prior exams or reports for comparison if possible.
- All patients having an abdomen and/or pelvis CT must drink oral contrast unless specified on the prescription
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or think you might be pregnant, please contact us prior to your exam.
CT Without IV Contrast
- Abdomen and Pelvis only
- Nothing to eat 4 hours prior to exam.
- Patient must drink oral contrast for all exams except exams with a diagnosis of renal stone (renal calculi).
Bring prior exams or reports for comparison if possible.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or think you might be pregnant, please contact us prior to your exam.
- All other CT’s without IV contrast require no preparation.
MRI Preparation
Ultrasound Preparation
Abdomen (Gallbladder)
- Nothing to eat or drink 6-8 hours prior to the exam
Pelvis
- Drink 32 oz. of water 1 hour before the exam. Do not empty your bladder
- Pregnancy: 1-4 months- Drink 32 oz. of water 1 hour before the exam. Do not empty your bladder
- Pregnancy: 5-9 months- No preparation required
X-Ray Preparation
No preparation necessary. If possible, please wear clothes without metal.
Nuclear Medicine
- Nuclear Stress Test/ Adenosine Stress Test
- Nothing to eat or drink for 4-6 hours prior to the exam, with the exception of plain water.
- No caffeine for 24 hours prior to the exam. No decaffeinated beverages, chocolate, soda, cold medicine with caffeine, etc.
- Take your medications as directed by your physician
- Wear comfortable clothes, a separate top and bottom (women) and walking shoes.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or think you might be pregnant, please contact us prior to your exam.
- Nuclear Medicine
Bone Scan
- There is no preparation required. You will receive an injection into a vein in your arm and you will be asked to return 2.5- 4 hours after the injection for your scan. Your scan will take approximately 1-2 hours.
Thyroid Scan and Uptake
- Nothing to eat from midnight before your test. Please follow your physician’s instructions with regard to taking your medication.
Gastric Emptying Scan
- Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to exam.
Meckel’s Scan
- Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior to exam
HIDA/ Cholescintigraphy / Gallbladder Scan
- Nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours prior to exam
All other Nuclear Medicine Scans
- Please contact us regarding the preparation
 Locations & Appointments
New Jersey Institute of Radiology Home
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