how do i do a bladder scan

[sirod]

clueless here and tired. please give me some info on how to do a bladder scan at the bedside. my questions are as follows:

2) make sure the probe has the arrow pointing in the correct direction. :what is the correct direction??

3) find the pubic symphysis, use liberal amounts of ultrasound gel, and place the probe just superior to it; what??

4) push the button.

5) if you have the graphic display, make sure the that the crosshairs are centered over the picture of the bladder. adjust as needed.

crosshairs????

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

clueless here and tired. please give me some info on how to do a bladder scan at the bedside. my questions are as follows:

2) make sure the probe has the arrow pointing in the correct direction. :what is the correct direction??

it really depends what model you have, but generally the arrow goes toward the groin.

3) find the pubic symphysis, use liberal amounts of ultrasound gel, and place the probe just superior to it; what??

just put some ultrasound gel either on the belly or probe (on the bottom).

5) if you have the graphic display, make sure the that the crosshairs are centered over the picture of the bladder. adjust as needed.

crosshairs????

on your display screen, it will show like a bull's eye when you have a good view. you want as much of the bull's eye darkened in as possible. the more colored in, the better the view you are getting. if there's no color, try moving the probe around on the belly.

i seem to remember too, that if you're doing a woman that's had a hysterectomy, you need to scan her like a man.

good luck!

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

2) I'm assuming the "correct direction" is pointing toward the patient.

3) Put some goop on the probe and place the probe just above the pubic bone.

As far as crosshairs, I don't know. Ours don't have that.

[michael79]

Just as a humorous note....we used to bladder scan each other to determine who went on lunch break first. She with the fullest bladder went first!