Contrast Considerations (Precautions)

1. To minimize adverse reactions you should:

A. Ask patient history (Obtain accurate, thorough medical history)

B. Obtain informed consent

2. Focus on allergies

A. Check blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine levels

- To check renal function (It is very important to check the renal function before injecting contrast agents, if renal function is low, the patient could go into renal failure)

B. Verify medications

- Especially those taken to treat diabetes, Type II

- Metformin (Glucophage) should be discontinued for 48 hours before and 48 hours after the use of iodine contrast media