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Testing that may occur while you are a patient at ENTER ORGANIZATION NAME:
CT Scan or CAT Scan This is a fast and painless test. You will be required to lie on your
back while you are placed into a large tubular machine that takes pictures and records
images of your brain.
Echocardiogram or Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE) This test is to check for
problems inside and around your heart. Harmless sound waves are sent into the heart
through the chest wall. A special ultrasound probe is placed on the outside of your chest
and moved around to get sound waves from your heart. The wall, valves, muscles and
blood vessels send echoes back to the machine creating a picture of the heart.
Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE) This is a test that also checks for problems
inside and around your heart but is more accurate than the TTE. Sound waves are sent
into the heart through the a tube placed down your throat to create a picture of your heart
A Carotid Doppler Study This is a painless test to evaluate your carotid arteries in the
neck. An ultrasound probe is placed on the outside of the neck and moved up and down to
determine if there is any blockage in the blood vessels in the neck.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) This is a painless test that takes pictures of the
inside of your body. The MRI machine looks like a large hollow tube. You will lay on a table
that goes into the tube during the test. If you have problems with claustrophobia, ask your
healthcare provider for medicine to help you relax during the test.
Magnetic Resonance Angiogram (MRA) This test is the same as an MRI but involves
injecting contrast dye into a vein to help provide a better image of the area being scanned.
Bedside Dysphagia (Swallowing) Exam This test is conducted at the bedside by a
speech pathologist. The speech pathologist will evaluate the strength and range of
movement of your oral structure (lips and tongue) in regard to the timeliness,
completeness and safety of the movement needed to eat, swallow and tolerate a diet.
Recommendations and/or modifications to your diet will be discussed with you and your
family.
Modified Barium Swallow This test is done on patients with swallowing difficulties that
are not easily identified. This evaluation is completed in the x-ray department with a
speech pathologist present to assist. The patient sits upright in a special chair so they can
be viewed from the side. During this test the patient is given different consistencies of food
and liquid to help determine the safest and most appropriate diet for the patient.
Recommendations and/or modifications to your diet will be discussed with you and your
family.