The Emily Center
Upper GI or Upper Gastrointestinal Series
Diagnostic Test/Exam
Si usted desea esta información en español,
por favor pídasela a su enfermero o doctor.
#12
Name of Child: ____________________________ Date: _________________
Upper GI or Upper Gastrointestinal Series
What is an upper GI test?
An upper GI (also called UGI or
upper gastrointestinal series) is an
x-ray test used to look at the top
parts of your child’s digestive system.
It looks at the tube between the
mouth and stomach (esophagus),
the stomach, and the first part of
the small intestine. At Phoenix
Children’s Hospital, this test is done
in the x-ray department.
Date of the UGI: ___________
Time of the UGI: ___________
esophagus
small intestine
stomach
The upper GI tract
Before the test
Babies to 3 years old: nothing to eat or drink for 3 hours before the test.
3 years old to 6 years old: nothing to eat or drink for 4 hours before the test.
Over 6 years old: nothing to eat or drink for 6 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.
© 2009, 2012, 2013, Phoenix Children’s Hospital
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If your child has a G-Button, please bring the connecting tubing with you.
If your child would be more comfortable with a special blanket or toy, please bring it
with you 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.
Your child may prefer a special cup to drink from. You can bring the empty cup on
the day of the test. During the test, your child will drink a liquid called barium. The
barium looks white on the x-ray, so the doctor can see the pictures more clearly. Your
child will lie on a special table and a camera will move over him or her to take the
pictures.
The test usually lasts about 30 minutes.
After the test
The doctor who ordered the test will tell you what you need to do after the test.
Barium may cause your child to have 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 as usual. Your child’s stools may look
white in color from the barium for 2 or 3 days.
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.)
© 2009, 2012, 2013 Phoenix Children’s Hospital
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If you have any questions or concerns,
p call your child’s doctor or p call ______________________
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.
Thursday December 20, 2012 • Draft in family review
#12 • Written by Joyce Tetreault, CFNP, Jennifer Ismuert, MSN, RN,
and Penny Morgan Overgaard, MSN, RN, FAHCEP • Illustrated by Dennis Swain
Written at a 5th grade reading level
© 2009, 2012, 2013, Phoenix Children’s Hospital
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The Emily Center
Upper GI or Upper Gastrointestinal Series
Diagnostic Test/Exam
Si usted desea esta información en español,
por favor pídasela a su enfermero o doctor.
Name of Health Care Provider: ________________________________ Number: 12
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
p Yes
p No
easy to read?
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
Would you do anything differently after reading
this handout?
p Yes
p No
p Yes
p No
Why or why not?
If yes, what?
After reading this handout, do you have any
questions about the subject?
If yes, what?
© 2009, 2012, 2013 Phoenix Children’s Hospital
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Is there anything you don’t like about the drawings?
p Yes p No
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!
© 2009, 2012, 2013, Phoenix Children’s Hospital
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