Correct and complete information should be entered into the computer or on the x-ray requisition. An appropriate order will include the name of the examination, the ordering healthcare provider’s name, and the clinical indication for the examination. Explain to the patient the purpose and procedure of the x-ray examination. Written patient instructions may be helpful.
When a complete genitourinary (GU) and GI workup is scheduled, the sequence of x-ray procedures should follow a definite order:
First day: IVP and barium enema
Second day (or subsequent day): upper GI (UGI) series
Barium studies should be scheduled after the following procedures:
Abdominal or pelvic ultrasound examination
Lumbosacral spine x-rays
Pelvic x-rays
Hysterosalpingogram
IVP
As a general rule, examinations that do not require contrast should precede examinations that do require contrast. All examinations that require contrast agents should be completed before those that require barium contrast. In addition, examinations that require contrast agents must precede nuclear medicine examinations that require radioactive iodine administrations (e.g., thyroid scans). Other x-ray examinations that do not require preparation can be performed at any time. Such examinations include the following:
X-rays of the head, spine, and extremities
Noncontrast abdominal x-rays (e.g., kidney, ureters, bladder [KUB], abdominal series)
Mammograms
Clinical Alert
Nursing home patients should be accompanied by an adult to the x-ray testing site. If a nonfasting patient will be in the x-ray department during mealtime, the nursing facility should send food or money for food with the patient