Knowing what an examination involves can make it easier to ask questions and plan your visit. Ultrasound is used for different clinical purposes, so your experience will depend on the body area being assessed and the examination your clinician requests.
How does ultrasound work?
An ultrasound machine uses sound waves to produce images of structures inside the body. It does not use ionising radiation. A clinician may request an examination to investigate symptoms, assess selected organs or monitor a pregnancy. The clinical question helps determine which examination is appropriate. MedlinePlus explains ultrasound imaging (opens in a new tab).
Ultrasound is not a way to check every possible health condition. A scan may answer a particular question while leaving others for your clinician to investigate. This article describes ultrasound generally; it is not a list of procedures currently offered by Prime Health.
Confirm preparation before travelling
Ask for instructions for your exact scan. Some examinations need no special preparation; others may require a full bladder or fasting. Do not choose a fasting period or drink extra water based on another person’s experience. Read about why preparation varies (opens in a new tab).
When contacting the centre, have the examination name from your referral available. Ask about availability, appointments, cost and the documents to bring. Mention any accessibility needs when arranging the visit. If an instruction is difficult to follow, raise that before the appointment rather than changing it yourself.
What might happen in the examination room?
For a typical external scan, you lie or sit near the scanner and expose the area being examined. The professional applies gel and moves a small probe over your skin. You may be asked to change position. They may pause to take measurements or record images; this alone does not tell you what the scan shows. The NHS describes an ultrasound appointment (opens in a new tab).
Some examinations use an internal probe. If this is proposed, ask what it involves, why it is recommended and what alternatives may be appropriate. You should have an opportunity to understand the procedure and give consent. Ask about a chaperone or support person if you would like one, and tell the professional if you feel uncomfortable. Read about examination types and chaperones (opens in a new tab).
Understand the reporting arrangements
Check when the report is expected, who receives it and who will explain the findings. Do not infer a result from the images on the screen or from how much the examiner says during the scan. A pregnancy scan also cannot guarantee that every condition will be detected. Learn about the limits of ultrasound results (opens in a new tab).
Contact Prime Health Diagnostic Center to confirm your requested examination and current arrangements in Gaduwa, Abuja. A website enquiry is not a confirmed scan appointment.
