Fairbanks Ultrasound Prep Instructions FULL BLADDER

Ultrasound Patient Preparation Instructions

(Full Bladder Required)

Please note, there is no need to submit this form. These are instructions for for your ultra sound preparation.

To ensure the most accurate and high-quality images during your ultrasound, please follow these preparation instructions carefully.

 

Preparation – Full Bladder

• Please drink 32 ounces (approximately 1 liter) of water one (1) hour prior to your scheduled appointment time.
• Do not empty your bladder after drinking the water. A full bladder is necessary for optimal imaging.
• You may eat and drink as you normally would, unless your referring provider or this office has given you different instructions.
• If you have difficulty maintaining a full bladder, please notify the technologist upon arrival.

Medications

• You may take your routine medications as prescribed, unless your referring provider or this office has advised otherwise.

Clothing and Comfort

• If possible, wear loose, comfortable clothing.
• You may be asked to change into a gown or remove clothing as needed and will be appropriately draped for privacy during the exam.
• We are a family-friendly clinic. Children and family members are welcome to accompany you to your appointment.

Additional Notes

• Please arrive 5–10 minutes early to allow time for check-in.
• If you are unsure how to prepare or have specific medical considerations, please contact our office prior to your appointment for guidance.

Exam

• Exam times vary depending on the procedure, typically ranging from 30 to 90 minutes.
• The scheduler will advise you of your estimated appointment length at the time of scheduling.

1. You’ll lie on your side or back on a comfortable table.
2. The ultrasound technician will apply water-soluble gel on your skin over the area to be examined. This gel doesn’t harm your skin or stain your clothes.
3. The technician will move a handheld transducer or probe over the gel to get images inside your body.
4. The technician may ask you to be very still or to hold your breath for a few seconds to create clearer pictures.
5. Once the technician has gotten enough images any remaining gel can be wiped off and you’ll be done.

 

Is an ultrasound painful?

Ultrasounds that are performed externally (over your skin) are generally not painful. You won’t feel the sound waves that ultrasound uses. If you have to have a full bladder for the procedure or have an internal ultrasound that goes inside a body cavity it may be uncomfortable.

What is ultrasound?

Ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive imaging technique using high-frequency sound waves (beyond human hearing) to create real-time pictures of the inside of the body, like organs, soft tissues, and blood flow, by sending waves into the body with a transducer (wand) and interpreting the returning echoes. It’s used for pregnancy, checking abdominal organs, heart, breasts, muscles, and guiding procedures, offering a radiation-free way to diagnose issues from blood clots to fetal development.  

How it works

• Sound Waves: A handheld device called a transducer sends sound waves into the body. 
• Echoes: These waves bounce off internal structures (tissues, organs, fluids). 
• Image Creation: The transducer picks up the echoes, and a computer translates them into moving, real-time images (sonograms). 

Key advantages

• Safe: No radiation exposure, making it ideal for pregnancy. 
• Real-time: Shows movement, useful for blood flow and fetal movement. 
• Non-invasive: No surgery needed, just a wand on the skin. 

Limitations

• Sound waves don’t travel well through air or bone. This is one reason we use ultrasound gel. Ultrasound gel removes air between the probe and your skin so sound waves travel properly helping to create clear images, and allow the probe to move smoothly and comfortably on your skin.

If you have any questions before your appointment, please contact our office. We look forward to seeing you at your appointment.