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Together is a new resource for anyone affected by pediatric cancer - patients and their parents, family members, and friends.
Learn MoreYour child might need anesthesia for a diagnostic imaging (DI) test such as a CT scan or MRI. It is important that children stay still during these tests so the images are clear.
The care team will decide whether to use anesthesia based on several factors such as your child’s age.
The care team will decide whether to use anesthesia based on several factors such as your child’s age.
For a sedated test (a test with anesthesia,) you may see as many as 4 appointments on your schedule.
For a sedated test (a test with anesthesia,) you may see as many as 4 appointments on your schedule.
These include:
Your care team will instruct you and your child on how to prepare for the test. For some scans, your child may need to arrive early for any of these reasons:
These factors may affect how long your child will wait before starting the test.
The start and end times for your child's test may vary based on a few factors. The care team might need more time to get a different view or image or to perform more testing. Gathering more information does not mean that there is a medical issue with your child. The care team wants to make sure they have all they need to receive the most complete test results.
Sedation recovery takes place after the test when your child wakes up from anesthesia. The care team moves your child to a recovery area. Nurses watch vital signs, breathing, and alertness to be sure your child can safely leave the testing area. This time can vary based on how quickly your child wakes and recovers from sedation.
A parent or caregiver must wait in the waiting room while a child is sedated.
Sedation recovery takes place after the test when your child wakes up from anesthesia.
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Reviewed: March 2022