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Endoscopic Ultrasound (Rectal): What to Expect at Home

Your Recovery

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After you have a rectal endoscopic ultrasound—a test to find problems in your lower gastrointestinal tract—you will stay at the hospital or clinic for 1 to 2 hours. This will allow the medicine to wear off. You will be able to go home after your doctor or nurse checks to make sure you are not having any problems.

After the test, you may be bloated or have gas pains. You may need to pass gas. If a biopsy was done, you may have streaks of blood in your stool (feces) for a few days.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to feel better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

Rest as much as you need to after you go home.

You should be able to go back to your usual activities the day after the test.

Ask your doctor when you can drive again.

Diet

Follow your doctor's directions for eating after the test.

Drink plenty of fluids (unless your doctor has told you not to).

Other instructions

If you had a biopsy to sample tissue, a small amount of bleeding at the biopsy site is normal.

Do not sign legal documents or make major decisions until the medicine effects are gone and you can think clearly. The anesthesia medicine can make it hard for you to fully understand what you are agreeing to.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

You passed out (lost consciousness).

Your stools are maroon or very bloody.

You have trouble breathing.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

	You have new or worse belly pain.
	You have new or more blood in your stools.
	You are sick to your stomach and cannot drink fluids.
	You cannot pass stools or gas.
	You have pain that does not get better after you take pain medicine.
	You have a fever.

Watch closely for any changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.

Current as of: October 19, 2023

Content Version: 14.0

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

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