The Emily Center
Modified Barium Swallow or MBS
Diagnostic Test/Exam
Si usted desea esta información en español,
por favor pídasela a su enfermero o doctor.
#1043
Name of Child: ______________________________ Date: _________________
Modified Barium Swallow or MBS
What is a modified barium swallow?
A modified barium swallow is an x-ray that takes pictures of your child’s mouth,
throat, and swallowing. Another name for this test is MBS. At Phoenix Children’s
Hospital, this test is done in the x-ray department.
Date of the test: _________________ Time of the test: ____________________
Before the test
• Your child should not have anything to eat or drink for 3 hours before the test.
• If your child takes medicines ordered by a doctor, give the medicines at the regular times with just a sip of water.
• If your child has a special blanket or toy that is comforting, please bring it with you to the test.
• Please bring your child’s bottle, sippy cup, or special utensil to the test.
During the test
• Your child will feel better if you are nearby. We at Phoenix Children’s Hospital want parents in the room during the test, too. If you are pregnant, you will have to wait outside of the room to keep your unborn baby safe, but another adult family member can be with your child.
• Your other children need to stay with another caregiver. They cannot be in the testing room.
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• Your child will drink a formula or juice mixed with a white liquid called barium. The barium looks black on the x-ray, so the doctor can see the pictures more
clearly.
• Most children sit in a special chair during the test. This chair keeps them safe and in line with the camera that takes the pictures. While your child drinks the barium, a doctor and a feeding expert (speech pathologist) will watch the barium move from the mouth into the tube between the mouth and stomach (the esophagus).
• The test usually lasts about 30 minutes.
After the test:
•The speech therapist will tell you what you need to do after the test. Barium may cause no stools or very hard stools (constipation). Have your child drink fluids to help the stool return to normal.
• After the test, your child may eat and drink. The feeding expert may tell you what you can do to make your child’s swallowing easier and safer. Your child’s stools may look white in color from the barium for 2 or 3 days.
• The doctor who ordered the test will get the results of the test, and review the speech therapist’s plan.
Now that you’ve read this:
p Tell the nurse or doctor how you will get your child ready for this test. (Check when done.)
If you have any questions or concerns,
p call your child’s doctor or p call ______________________
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If you want to know more about child health and illness,
visit our library at The Emily Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital
1919 East Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016
602-933-1400
866-933-6459
www.phoenixchildrens.com
Facebook: facebook.com/theemilycenter
Twitter: @emilycenter
Disclaimer
The information provided at this site is intended to be general information, and is provided for educational purposes only. It is
not intended to take the place of examination, treatment, or consultation with a physician. Phoenix Children’s Hospital urges
you to contact your physician with any questions you may have about a medical condition.
Friday, March 2, 2012 • DRAFT to family review
#1043 • Written by Joyce Tetreault, CFNP, Jennifer Ismuert, MSN, RN, and
Penny Overgaard, RN, BSN, FAHCEP
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The Emily Center
Modified Barium Swallow or MBS
Diagnostic Test/Exam
Si usted desea esta información en español,
por favor pídasela a su enfermero o doctor.
Name of Health Care Provider: _______________________________ Number: 1043
For office use: Date returned: ____________ p db p nb
Family Review of Handout
Health care providers: Please teach families with this handout.
Families: Please let us know what you think of this handout.
Would you say this handout is hard to read? p Yes p No
easy to read? p Yes p No
Please circle the parts of the handout that were hard to understand.
Would you say this handout is interesting to read?
p Yes p No
p Yes p No
If yes, what?
After reading this handout, do you have any
questions about the subject?
p No
Why or why not?
Would you do anything differently after reading
this handout?
p Yes If yes, what?
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Is there anything you don’t like about the drawings?
p Yes If yes, what?
What changes would you make in this handout to make it better or
easier to understand?
Please return your review of this handout to your nurse or doctor
or send it to the address below.
Fran London, MS, RN
Health Education Specialist
The Emily Center
Phoenix Children’s Hospital
1919 East Thomas Road
Phoenix, AZ 85016-7710
602-933-1395
[email protected]
Thank you for helping us!
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p No