• Exams may be successful without having the patient fast, however, if scheduled in advance the patient should fast overnight or 4 to 6 hours prior to exam to minimize bowel gas.
• A bowel prep is usually not necessary, however, in the advent of poor visualization due to bowel contents, a bowel prep may be utilized.
• The patient should not chew gum or smoke the morning of the exam as this may increase swallowing of air.
• Consideration is advised when scheduling diabetic patients. Instruct diabetic patients to closely monitor glucose levels when fasting for examinations and to react accordingly.
• Early morning appointments are preferred to reduce the amount of bowel gas and air in the alimentary tract.
• Patients should take all medications with a small sip of water.