Communicating With Patients Undergoing Abdominopelvic CT Imaging

摘要

Use of computed tomography (CT) is on the rise in the U.S. health care system. CT of the abdominopelvic region is a frequently ordered medical imaging examination, providing rapid imaging of the abdomen and pelvis in outpatient and emergent settings. It can help diagnose conditions such as: ■ appendicitis ■ abscesses ■ inflammatory bowel disease (eg, ulcerative colitis, Crohn disease) ■ pancreatitis ■ liver cirrhosis ■ cancers of the liver, kidneys, pancreas, ovaries, and bladder ■ kidney and bladder stones ■ abdominal aortic aneurysms ■ injuries to abdominal organs (eg, spleen, liver, and kidneys) in cases of trauma Most outpatient CT examinations of the abdomen and pelvis require patients to follow bowel preparation and receive an oral contrast agent. Proper bowel preparation and oral contrast administration are essential for an accurate diagnosis. To achieve appropriate bowel preparation and contrast administration, it is important to communicate with patients the importance of their cooperation before, during, and after their examination. Patients must understand what is expected of them before their examination to ensure that organs and other structures can be viewed properly. Patients need to fast for 2 to 6 hours before their examination. Fasting results in an empty proximal gastrointestinal tract and limits the potential hazard of aspirating stomach contents in the event contrast agent administration causes gastrointestinal upset. Effective communication will result in higher-quality CT examinations of the abdominopelvic region.