Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear medicine is the practice of using radioactive materials to diagnose, treat, and prevent a variety of ailments and abnormal occurrences in the human body.
Patient Preparation Instructions

If your test is not listed below, there are no other special instructions.

Nuclear Medicine Exam - If you are scheduled for a Nuclear Medicine Exam, please arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled exam time to register.

Ceretec WBC, VQ Lung, GI Bleeding, Indium WBC, Muga, or Thallium Rest Only Scan - If you are scheduled for Ceretec WBC, VQ Lung, GI Bleeding, Indium WBC, Muga, or Thallium Rest Only scan, no preparation is required.

3 Phase Bone Scan or Renal Histogram - If you are scheduled for a nuclear medicine 3 Phase Bone Scan or Renal Histogram, please drink 3 glasses of water before your exam.

Gastric Emptying Scan - If you are scheduled for a gastric emptying scan please do not eat or drink anything for 4 hours prior to your exam. You may take your routine medications with water.

Parathyroid Spect or Meckel’s Diverticulum Scan - If you are scheduled for a parathyroid spect or Meckel’s Diverticulum scan, please do not take any thyroid or calcium medications for 5 days prior to your exam.

Thyroid Uptake - If you are scheduled for a thyroid uptake, please do not eat or drink anything for 4 hours prior to your exam. Also, please do not take iodine containing meds or vitamins 7-10 days prior to your exam.

Cisternography Scan - If you are scheduled for a cisternography scan please eat a light breakfast and take any routine meds with water.

Hepatobiliary Scan - If you are scheduled for a hepatobiliary scan, please do not eat or drink anything for 4 hours prior to your exam. Also, do not take any narcotics for 6 hours prior to your exam.

Cardiolite Stress Test - If you are scheduled for a cardiolite stress test, please do not eat or drink anything for 8 hours prior to your exam. Please do not smoke or drink caffeinated beverages for 24 hours before your exam. Please do not take Theophylline for 48 hours prior to your exam. Do not take beta blockers or calcium channel blockers the morning of your exam.


 

These are preparation guidelines for imaging exams performed at Knox Community Hospital (KCH).  If you have any questions regarding prep for your exam, please contact us at 740.393.9038.