A pregnant patient is scheduled for an abdominal ultrasound. What should the nurse instruct the patient about this procedure?

Question

A) Avoid drinking fluid 1 hour prior to the procedure.
B) Expect to have a catheter inserted prior to the procedure.
C) Empty the bladder 1 hour and just prior to the start of the procedure.
D) Drink a glass of water every 15 minutes starting 90 minutes before the procedure.

Answer 1

D
Feedback:
The sound waves reflect best if the uterus can be held stable so it is helpful if the woman has a full bladder at the time of the procedure. To ensure this, ask her to drink a full glass of water every 15 minutes beginning 90 minutes before the procedure and not void until after the procedure. The patient will not have a catheter inserted for this procedure. The patient should not avoid fluids 1 hour prior to the procedure. The bladder should not be emptied until the procedure concludes.