Prep instructions for CT Scans - Emory Johns Creek Hospital

The following are the instructions for CT Head, Chest, Neck, Arms & Legs:
1. NPO – Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior to scan.
2. Take medications with small sips of water.
3. For sinus/head scans: remove all metal from the head area including
dentures/partials with metal, earrings, necklaces and pins.
4. IV contrast may be used depending on the reason for the procedure.
5. During the procedure, you will be lying on your back.
6. If you are taking Glucophage, inform the technologist before your test.
7. If you are, or think you could be pregnant, inform us or your doctor before
preparing for the test.
8. If you are nursing, do not breast-feed for 48 hour after your procedure if you
received IV contrast material. Your baby may be allergic to iodine.
The following are the instructions for CT Abdomen, and CT Pelvis:
1. NPO- Nothing to eat or drink after midnight the night prior to the test or at least 4
hours prior. If scheduled in the afternoon, may have a light breakfast.
2. Take your medications with small sips of water.
3. Report to radiology department at least 3 days before to pick up contrast, or your
doctor’s office may dispense contrast.
4. You may drink the oral contrast before arriving for your test.
Drink the 1 st bottle of contrast 2 hours before appointment.
Then drink the 2 nd bottle of contrast 1 hour before appointment.
5. If you do not drink the oral contrast ahead of time, you will need to drink the
contrast when you arrive. This will take at least 1 hour.
6. If an IV is needed for your test, it will be started before the test.
7. During the exam, you will be lying on your back.
8. If you are taking Glucophage, inform the technologist before the test.
9. If you are, or think you could be pregnant, inform us or your doctor before
preparing for the test.
10. If you are nursing, do no breast-feed for 48 hours after your procedure if you
received IV contrast material. Your baby may be allergic to iodine.
The following are the instructions for CT Spine:
1. NPO – nothing to eat or drink after midnight or 4 hours prior to procedure.
2. Take medications with small sips of water.
3. IV contrast media may be given depending on the reason for the procedure.
4. During the exam, you will be lying on your back.
5. If you are taking Glucophage, inform the technologist before your test.
6. If you are, or think you could be pregnant, inform us or your doctor before
preparing for the test.
7. If you are nursing, do not breast-feed for 48 hours after your procedure if you
received IV contrast material. Your baby may be allergic to iodine.

The following are the instructions for the CT vascular study, arteriogram,
endograft:
1. NPO- nothing to eat or drink 4 hours prior to test.
2. Take medications with small sips of water.
3. Do not drink any oral contrast.
4. Bring a list of any medications you are taking – prescription & over-the-counter
medications.
5. If you are taking Glucophage, inform the technologist before your test.
6. If you are, or think you could be pregnant, inform us or your doctor before
preparing for the test.
7. If you are nursing, do not breast-feed for 48 hours after your procedure if you
received IV contrast material. Your baby may be allergic to iodine.
The following are the instructions for CT guided procedure: biopsy, drainage,
radiofrequency ablation:
1. Seven days before the procedure, discontinue use of the following meds:
Coumadin (Warfarin), Heparin, Lovenox of any other blood thinner.
2. If you have taken any blood thinner medication within 7 days, contact us at 678-
474-7169, the procedure may need to be rescheduled.
3. Two days before the procedure: stop taking any aspirin or aspirin products (I.E.
Bufferin, Excedrin, Ecotrin) or non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications (I.E.
Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Naprosyn). It is OK to take Tylenol.
4. The night before the procedure: NPO – nothing to eat or drink after midnight.
5. The day of the procedure:
Take medications with small sips of water.
Lab work (PT, PTT, INR) will be drawn to make sure unnecessary complications
do not occur. If the labs have abnormal results, the test will be rescheduled. On
the day of the rescheduled test, more labs will be drawn to determine if labs are
within normal limits.
6. You must have a ride home. You may not take a taxi, MARTA, or drive yourself.
If you do not have a ride, the procedure will not be completed.
7. Bring a list of all medications you are currently taking and a list of any allergies.
8. Bring any outside radiology films with you, if available.
9. Report to Registration 2 hours prior to scheduled appointment.

The following are the instructions for CT Guided Bone/Spine Biopsy or Disc
Biopsy/Aspiration:
1. Seven days before the procedure, discontinue use of the following meds:
Coumadin (Warfarin), Heparin, Lovenox of any other blood thinner.
2. If you have taken any blood thinner medication within 7 days, contact us at 678-
474-7169, the procedure may need to be rescheduled.
3. Two days before the procedure: stop taking any aspirin or aspirin products (I.E.
Bufferin, Excedrin, Ecotrin) or non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications (I.E.
Advil, Motrin, Ibuprofen, Aleve, Naprosyn). It is OK to take Tylenol.
4. The night before the procedure: NPO – nothing to eat or drink after midnight.
5. The day of the procedure:
Take medications with small sips of water.
Lab work (PT, PTT, INR) will be drawn to make sure unnecessary complications
do not occur. If the labs have abnormal results, the test will be rescheduled. On
the day of the rescheduled test, more labs will be drawn to determine if labs are
within normal limits.
6. You must have a ride home. You may not take a taxi, MARTA, or drive yourself.
If you do not have a ride, the procedure will not be completed.
7. Bring a list of all medications you are currently taking and a list of any allergies.
8. Bring any outside radiology films with you, if available.
9. Report to Registration 2 hours prior to scheduled appointment.