VCUG Preparation Book - Elliot Hospital

VCUG Preparation Book
Voiding CYSTOURETHROGRAM

Hi There!
Today you will be having a test done called a VCUG. A VCUG is a special way for the
doctor to find out how your body is working. This book will help you to understand
what to expect during your visit to the hospital. We understand that you may be a
little scared, but your doctor, nurses, and child life specialist are here to answer all
of your questions. Maybe you will even have a little bit of fun! Please let us know if
you have any questions at all
Sincerely,
Your doctor, nurse, and child life specialist

Getting a VCUG
The best way to explain this is to go step by step. If
something is going to be a little different when you
come in for your VCUG, the nurse or child life
specialist will explain it to you. As you read this with
your parents, write down any questions you have.
Bring your questions to the hospital and we’ll be sure
to answer them all before we start.

Your parent can stay with you the whole
time. You may also bring a special toy
like a teddy bear, doll, or blanket to
hold during the VCUG
* Note to parents- Women who are
pregnant will not be permitted in the room
where the X-Rays are taken.

Getting Vitals
The nurse needs to make sure you are healthy and ready for the
procedure. They do this by checking your Vitals.
The nurse will take your temperature,
your blood pressure (which feels like a hug on your
arm),
and your weight and pulse.

The nurse will ask girls to place their legs in the frog leg or butterfly position.
To do this, bend your knees and put your feet close to your bottom,
then lower your knees out to the side. It seems kind of silly, but it will
only be for a few minutes. Boys will be asked to keep their legs straight.
Some kids like to practice this at home
before coming to the hospital.
Do you think it looks more like a butterfly or frog
getting ready to hop?

The nurse will then clean the private area
between your legs with some
brown soapy liquid. It may feel cold and wet.
This makes the area extra clean. It’s
important not to touch anything below your
belly button after they clean this area, until
the end of the test.

Next, the nurse will slide a tiny, flexible tube called a
CATHETER along the path that your URINE (pee)
takes from your bladder to the outside of your body.
The nurse will loosely tape it to your leg so it doesn’t
come out until after your pictures are all done.
Putting the catheter in may feel uncomfortable, but it
helps to try to relax your muscles as much as possible.
You might be wondering how you would be able to relax
during your VCUG. We’ve listed a few ideas on the next
page that might help. Practice these things, maybe
while you are lying flat or in the frog leg position. See
which one makes you feel more relaxed.

Ideas for Relaxing During VCUG
1. Blowing bubbles: slowly take a deep breath in, and then very slowly
pretend you are blowing a really big bubble. Go slowly, you don’t want
the bubble to pop! You may need to pretend to blow more than one
bubble while the nurse puts in the catheter.
2. Singing: Practice singing some of your favorite songs…don’t leave out
any of the words!
3. Reading: Bring a book you really love, have Mom or Dad read it to you
(or read it to them!) during the test. Other kids have said I Spy books
are also very helpful.
You might have your own ideas for helping yourself through this test. Let
us know your ideas, we will try to do whatever we can to help. We
realize this is new and different and maybe a little scary. Let us know
how you are feeling. We think it’s ok to cry, too.

Helping the Nurse
One thing you can do to help us during the
test is to try to stay very still when the nurse
is putting the catheter in, and when the
pictures are being taken. The nurse, doctor,
or technician will let you know when it’s most
important for you to stay still.

When you are ready and it is your turn, the nurse
will bring you and your parent to a room with a few
big machines and a bed. These machines are just big
cameras that take the special pictures! The cameras
are connected to a TV screen so that the doctor can
see the pictures as they are being taken.

You might notice some clear liquid hanging
on a pole. You might hear them call the
clear liquid CONTRAST. This liquid will
help the x-ray pictures be clear.

Time to take the pictures…
The liquid or contrast will be put through that tiny
tube and might make you feel like you have to go pee.
Try to wait as long as you can and then tell the nurse
when you can’t hold it anymore.
The nurse will then ask you to let the liquid come out.
It may feel like you are peeing, but remember it is
just the liquid coming out and there will be towels
under you to keep you dry. The nurse will tell you
when it is important to stay very still so the pictures
come out clear.

Once the pictures are all done, you will
be able to get dressed and go home!
Make sure to write down any questions
you have before coming to the hospital
and we will be sure to answer them!

Questions to Bring to the Hospital

This book was created by the Child Life Program
at New Hampshire’s Hospital for Children.
To contact Child Life please call the office at:
(603) 663-3416
or e-mail us at:
lfolger@elliot-hs.org
Monday-Friday 8am-7pm