CT Scan (Computed Tomography/CT Scan)
Lifespan Medical Imaging

Preparing for Your CT Scan

Please leave any personal belongings (jewelry, glasses, etc.) at home when having an outpatient exam performed at any of our facilities to avoid misplacement.

Most CT exams do not require any preparation for your exam, except the following:

CT Enterography

Do not eat or drink 2 hours prior to exam.

CTA Coronary

  • If you are taking any medications, please bring the medications themselves or a list of these medications, their doses and the frequency of which you take them with you to hospital, the day of the procedure. 
  • If you have had an allergic reaction to x-ray “contrast” or “dye” in the past, please alert our staff/your ordering physician. 
  • There is a 2 hour fast (nothing to eat or drink 2 hours prior) for this exam. 
  • Do not consume any caffeine 24 hours prior to this exam. 
  • Do not consume any nicotine products 24 hours prior to this exam.

Preparation for CT Procedures

  • All preparations for procedures are dependent on the type of procedure you are having. This information will be communicated to you from the department performing the procedure or the physician that ordered the procedure. Some patients will also get a letter with specific instructions in addition to a phone call.
  • Some preps may include discontinuing specific medication a few hours or days before exam such as medications that may thin your blood.
  • Some preps may include fasting before exam for a specific number of hours.
  • Some preps may include refraining from eating a specific type of food.
  • If you have X-Ray or other imaging from another facility (Non-Lifespan) you may be asked to bring the images and reports with you.
  • If you are taking any medications, please bring the medications themselves or a list of these medications, their doses and the frequency of which you take them with you to hospital, the day of the procedure. 
  • Some procedures will require the patient to have someone drive them home from the procedure
  • If you have had an allergic reaction to x-ray “contrast” or “dye” in the past, please alert our staff/your ordering physician. 
  • If you have any questions in regards to your specific prep, please call the department where you will be having your procedure.
CT Scan (Computed Tomography/CT Scan)