Questions to Ask a Sonographer
For patients booked in for an ultrasound. These questions cover how to prepare, what the scan involves, what the sonographer is and is not allowed to tell you, and how the results reach you afterwards.
The questions
Open any question for the note
Which scan am I having today, and which part of the body does it cover?
Why ask it
Referrals are often written in shorthand, and an abdominal scan, a pelvic scan and a Doppler study of the same region are different examinations. Confirming at the start also catches the occasional booking error before you are on the table.
What do I need to do to prepare, and does it change if I'm on medication?
Why ask it
Preparation is specific rather than general: fasting for some abdominal scans, a full bladder for some pelvic scans, nothing at all for others. Ask about your regular medication separately, since instructions to fast do not usually mean stopping tablets.
How long will the appointment take, from arriving to leaving?
Why ask it
The scan itself may be fifteen minutes while the visit takes an hour with paperwork and waiting. The realistic figure matters if you have arranged childcare, transport or time off work.
What will it actually feel like?
Why ask it
The honest answer includes cool gel, firm pressure from the probe, and occasional discomfort when scanning over a tender area or with a full bladder. Knowing this in advance makes it easier to tell ordinary pressure apart from pain worth reporting.
Will this be an external scan, or is an internal probe involved?
Why ask it
Transvaginal, transrectal and transoesophageal approaches require separate explanation and consent, and finding out at the last moment is distressing. Ask what it involves and whether the external scan alone would be sufficient.
Will I need to undress, and will I be covered?
Why ask it
Practical detail about gowns, sheets and which clothing to remove reduces the awkwardness of the appointment considerably. It also tells you what to wear so that changing is straightforward.
Can someone come in with me?
Why ask it
Policies vary by department and by scan type, and some rooms cannot accommodate an extra person. Ask when booking rather than on the day if having someone present matters to you.
Can I ask you to stop or pause during the scan?
Why ask it
You can withdraw consent at any point, and knowing that in advance changes how the appointment feels. Agreeing a signal beforehand makes it easier to use if you need to.
Are you able to tell me anything about what you're seeing?
Why ask it
Rules differ by country, employer and scan type, and many sonographers are not permitted to give findings because a radiologist or the referring clinician issues the report. Asking early avoids reading their silence as bad news.
If you can't discuss findings, who will, and when?
Why ask it
This is the question that saves the most anxiety, because it replaces an unknown wait with a named person and a rough timeframe. Ask what to do if you have not heard by that point.
Do I need to arrange the follow-up appointment myself?
Why ask it
Results sometimes sit waiting for a patient-initiated appointment that nobody mentioned. Confirming who books it prevents a report being filed without anyone discussing it with you.
Will I be able to see the screen, and would you rather I didn't watch?
Why ask it
Some sonographers turn the screen away while concentrating, which patients often read as concealment. Asking directly settles it, and lets them explain when they will and will not be talking.
Are there any risks with this scan?
Why ask it
Diagnostic ultrasound uses sound waves rather than ionising radiation and is considered safe, though contrast agents and some internal approaches carry their own considerations. Ask specifically about anything being injected.
What happens if the images aren't clear enough?
Why ask it
Body habitus, bowel gas, scar tissue and movement can all limit a scan, and a repeat or a different test may be needed. Hearing this in advance stops a rescan feeling like a sign that something is wrong.
Would previous scans or reports help you today?
Why ask it
Comparison with earlier imaging is often what makes a finding interpretable, and records do not always transfer between providers. Ask whether to bring copies or arrange for them to be sent ahead.
Is anything about my history relevant that you may not have?
Why ask it
Surgery, implants, pregnancy, recent procedures and current symptoms can all change how a scan is performed. The referral may be brief, so it is worth stating these rather than assuming they are on file.
Am I able to eat, drive and go back to work straight afterwards?
Why ask it
Most ultrasound scans require no recovery, but sedation, contrast or an internal approach can change that. Confirming avoids arranging your day around a restriction that does not apply, or missing one that does.
How do I get a copy of the images or the report?
Why ask it
You are generally entitled to your own records, though the process and any fee vary by provider. Ask whether the report goes to your referring clinician first, and how long that usually takes.
Who do I contact if I have questions later today?
Why ask it
Questions tend to surface after you leave, once you have had time to think. A department number written down is more useful than a general switchboard.
Is there anything else I should know before we start?
Why ask it
Sonographers often have one practical point specific to your scan that patients never ask about, such as how to breathe or how long you will need to hold still. Asking takes a few seconds and frequently improves the scan.
Preparing for an Ultrasound
Practical guidance for the conversation itself
Before the Appointment
Read the Preparation Instructions Twice
Fasting times and bladder instructions are scan-specific and are the most common reason an appointment has to be repeated. If the letter is unclear, call the department rather than guessing.
Write Your Questions Down
Appointments are short and it is easy to leave with none of them asked. Two or three on paper is more useful than a longer list you will not get through.
Wear Two Pieces Rather Than One
A separate top and bottom means you can usually expose only the area being scanned. It makes the appointment quicker and more comfortable.
Note Your Current Symptoms and Medication
A short written list is more reliable than recalling details while lying on a table. Include recent surgery, implants and any possibility of pregnancy.
Extra Questions By Scan Type
Pregnancy Scan
- 1What is this scan checking for at this stage?
- 2Are you able to tell us anything today, or does the report come later?
- 3What happens if something needs a closer look?
- 4Can we have photographs, and is there a fee?
Abdominal or Pelvic Scan
- 1How many hours should I fast, and can I drink water?
- 2How full does my bladder need to be, and when should I stop drinking?
- 3Will an internal scan be needed as well?
Vascular or Doppler Study
- 1How long will I need to stay still, and in what position?
- 2Will you need to press firmly on a painful area?
- 3Is contrast being used, and what does that involve?
Scan to Investigate a Known Problem
- 1Are you comparing this with my previous imaging?
- 2Who is reviewing the images and when?
- 3Should I expect a call, a letter or an appointment?
Common Pitfalls
Reading the Sonographer's Silence
Concentration, note taking and measurement all produce quiet stretches that have no bearing on the findings. Many sonographers are also not permitted to report to you at all.
Guessing at the Preparation
Eating before a scan that required fasting, or emptying your bladder before one that required it full, usually means rebooking. A phone call to check takes less time than a second appointment.
Assuming No News Means Normal
Reports go astray and appointments get missed in the system. Note the date you were told to expect results and follow up if it passes.
Not Mentioning Pain During the Scan
Pressure can often be reduced or the approach adjusted, but only if you say something. Discomfort you push through can also make you tense and degrade the images.