What Are Radiology Discharge Instructions?
The Radiology Department at Cincinnati Children's offers general instructions for discharge after a radiology procedure.
If you have questions, contact us at 513-636-4251 (option 5) or 1-800-344-2462 (ext. 4251, then press 5).
Going Home from the Hospital
A transporter can help you with safely getting your child to the car (no buses after sedation). Children should not walk by themselves until they are stable on their feet.Activity After Discharge
An adult must be with the child at all times until the child has returned to his / her usual state of alertness and coordination.
After Anesthesia
- Your child may prefer a quiet activity for the rest of the day.
After Sedation
- Your child may take a long nap. He / she may sleep up to 8 hours and may be drowsy and irritable for up to 24 hours after the sedation.
- When your child is asleep, you should be able to awaken him / her easily.
- Your child may be unsteady when walking or crawling and will need you or another adult to protect them from injury.
Helpful Tips
- Young children (infants and toddlers) should play only on carpeted floors. Block stairs and doorways with safety gates. Pad the corners of sharp tables. Remove wheeled toys or chairs.
- Older children (preschoolers to adolescents) should rest on the floor or a sofa in an area where an adult can watch the child. Escort the child when walking (for example when getting up to go to the bathroom).
- Your child should not perform any potentially dangerous activities such as riding a bike, swimming, driving, sports, playing outside, handling sharp objects, working with tools, or climbing stairs until he / she is back to his / her usual state of alertness and coordination for at least one hour.
- We advise you to keep your child home from school or day care after the test and possibly the next day if your child is still drowsy or unable to walk well.
Diet After Discharge
- Start your child on clear liquids such as water, Kool-Aid, soft drinks, clear juices, popsicles and Jello.
- When your child is doing well on clear liquids, then start a light diet (soups, crackers, pudding, toast, apple sauce).
- When your child is doing well on a light diet, return to regular diet.
Instructions If Vomiting
- Allow the child's stomach to settle for about 30 minutes, then offer clear liquids again.
- Do not force the child to drink clear liquids if he / she does not feel like drinking.
- The child should drink slowly (about 4-8 ounces over 30 minutes).
- If the child vomits more than twice, call the doctor or nurse.
- Once the child drinks clear liquids without vomiting, wait 30 minutes before offering solid foods or milk. Return to your normal eating and drinking routines.
Call Your Child's Doctor If:
- You are unable to arouse your child
- Your child is unable to eat or drink
- Your child is vomiting
- Your child is having pain
- Your child develops a rash
- Your child does not return to his / her normal state of alertness and coordination within 24 hours
