The client being seen in a physician’s office has just been scheduled for a barium swallow the next day. The nurse writes down which of the following instructions for the client to follow before the test?
A. Fast for 8 hours before the test.
B. Eat a regular supper and breakfast.
C. Continue to take all oral medications as scheduled.
D. Monitor own bowel movement pattern for constipation.
Correct Answer: A. Fast for 8 hours before the test
A barium swallow is an x-ray study that uses a substance called barium for contrast to highlight abnormalities in the GI tract. The client should fast for 8 to 12 hours before the test, depending on the physician’s instructions. A barium swallow test (cine esophagram, swallowing study, esophagography, modified barium swallow study, videofluoroscopy swallow study) is a special type of imaging test that uses barium and X-rays to create images of the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
Option B: The client will need to stop eating and drinking for about 8 hours before the swallowing test. Generally, this means after midnight. A barium swallow test may be performed as an outpatient procedure or as part of the client’s stay in a hospital. The way the test is done may vary depending on the client’s condition and his healthcare provider’s practices.
Option C: Most oral medications also are withheld before the test. The client should tell the provider about all medicines he is taking. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, and herbal supplements. He may need to stop taking these before the swallowing test.
Option D: After the procedure, the nurse must monitor for constipation, which can occur as a result of the presence of barium in the GI tract. The client may have constipation or impacted stool after the swallowing test if all of the barium does not pass out of the body. The client should drink plenty of fluids in the days following the exam.
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