VCUG Preparation Book (Voiding Cystourethrogram) BC Children s Hospital
What is a VCUG? VCUG is an shorter way to say Voiding Cystourethrogram. It is a way for doctors to see pictures of inside of your body when you pee.
Body parts that make pee kidneys: two bean-shaped organs that filter waste from the blood and produce urine ureters: two thin tubes that take pee from the kidney to the bladder bladder: a sac that holds pee until it's time to go to the bathroom urethra: the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body when you pee KidsHealth. (2018). Your Urinary System. Retrieved from: https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/pee.html?ref=search&wt.ac=msh-k-dtopen-search-clk
Why am I getting a VCUG? Pee is made in your kidneys and travels down the ureters towards your bladder. When your bladder is full you pee out your urethra. Reflux is when pee goes backwards from your bladder into the ureters towards the kidneys. The doctor is looking to see if this is happening when you pee.
When I arrive at the hospital When you come to the hospital you can bring a toy or a stuffy from home. When you arrive you can play in the waiting area. When it is your turn a staff member will come get you and your caregiver.
Hospital clothes You will change into hospital pajamas for your pictures. The caregiver staying with you will wear a hospital outfit too.
The fluoroscopy room This is the room you come into to have your VCUG. The fluoroscopy camera takes the pictures of inside your body. Can you see where the camera is in this room?
The camera Katie is pointing to the camera. The camera will move over top of you when it is time to take the pictures.
The technologist This is one of the technologists. The technologist will help you get ready for the pictures and also help you keep your body in the correct position during the pictures.
The camera bed Before the pictures are taken you will sit on the bed. While you are waiting you can play with some toys or read a book.
The contrast Contrast is a medicine that makes the inside of your body show up in the pictures. Contrast is clear like water but you can not drink it. For your pictures the doctor will fill your bladder with contrast through a small tube.
The tube /catheter The tube/catheter is soft and bendy. It looks and feels like a soft spaghetti noodle. The tube will go into the hole where your pee comes out.
Getting ready for the nurse When it is time for the tube to go into your penis or vagina you will lie down. It is important to keep your hands away from the tube and stay still. Your caregiver may hold your hands.
Leg position Girls will make frog legs or butterfly wings with their legs. You do this by bending your knees, keeping your feet together, and relaxing your legs down to the sides. Boys keep their legs out straight and together like a toy soldier.
Leg Position You will feel a technologists hands on your legs helping them stay in the right position.
Deep breaths Your job will be to relax your legs and focus on taking deep breaths. Some children like to play on an Ipad others like to blow bubbles. What do you think you would like to do?
Cleaning with soap The nurse will wash your private area with soap and water on cotton balls. The soap and water will feel wet and cold. Some children think the nurse s soap is a funny colour!
When the tube goes in While you are focusing on relaxing and taking deep breaths, the nurse will slip the tube into the hole where your pee comes out.
When the tube goes in You will feel the tube going into your penis or vagina. Some kids say it feels like a pinch at first. When the tube is inside your body you will notice it in there but most kids say they do not feel the pinch any more. The nurse will use a small piece of tape on your leg to keep the tube in place
Time for the Pictures The doctor will move camera over you to take pictures while your bladder fills and empties. The camera will come close but will not touch you. It makes some clicking and humming noises.
Stickers Look for stickers under the camera. Which one is your favorite?
I have to pee After a few minutes, you will feel like you really have to go pee. When you have this feeling, tell someone. The doctor will tell you when to push out the water from your bladder. Towels will catch all the water.
When you pee When you push out the contrast the catheter/ tube will come out. Most children say they do not feel this. You will feel the technologist will take the tape off your leg.
All done Once all the photos are done you get to pick something from the prize box and get changed back into your clothes.
All finished You are finished the test. It s time to go. Good bye!