About this topic
The body makes a substance known as bile. It helps break down the food you eat. Your liver makes the bile. A small sac-like organ, known as the gallbladder, sits right next to the liver and stores the bile. Your body releases the bile when it is time to digest the food in your belly. ‚
A HIDA scan is done to see if the bile is able to move freely. It uses a radioactive dye. This lets the doctor see the bile as it passes through the body. This kind of scan is used to check for liver and gallbladder diseases. The doctor might be looking for stones, blockages, swelling, or other problems in your gallbladder and liver. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Keep the I.V. site clean to prevent infection.
- You may feel some belly pain if you have a blockage. Your doctor may give you drugs for this.
- You will have a small amount of radioactive substance in your body. It will not harm you or other people.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day. This will help flush the substance from your body.
- Flush the toilet 2 times after you pee. The radioactive substance leaves your body through your pee. You should do this for 1 to 2 days after the test.
- Wash your hands well with soap and water after using the toilet.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. The results of your test will help your doctor understand what kind of problem you have with your gallbladder or liver. Together you can make a plan for more care. You may need to have more tests. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
You can return to your normal activities after the scan. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Allergic reaction to the dye used
- Bruising at the injection site
- Rash from the dye used
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of a bad reaction. These include trouble breathing; chest tightness; fever; itching; blue skin color; seizures, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Go to the ER right away.
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, and the injection site is very red, swollen, and painful.
- Belly pain is very bad and will not go away
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you what I need to do to help get rid of the radioactive substance in my body.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have very bad belly pain that will not go away.
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚