CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

What is the recommended patient preparation for an ERCP procedure?

1. Fasting for 12-14 hours

2. Fasting for 6-8 hours

3. Eating a light meal 2 hours prior

4. No preparation required

The correct answer is: Fasting for 6-8 hours

The recommended patient preparation for an Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure typically involves fasting for 6-8 hours prior to the examination. This fasting period is crucial as it helps to ensure that the stomach and duodenum are empty, which reduces the risk of complications such as aspiration during sedation and allows for clearer visualization of the biliary and pancreatic ducts during the procedure. The fasting duration allows the medical team to have a clearer view of the structures involved and enhances the effectiveness of the procedure. A longer fasting period, such as 12-14 hours, may be more suited to other surgical procedures but is generally considered unnecessary for ERCP. Eating a light meal shortly before the procedure increases the risk of complications and is not advisable. Lastly, while some procedures might not require special preparation, ERCP generally does to ensure patient safety and procedure efficacy.