[Music]
Hello! My name is Stephanie.
I am a Registered Nurse
at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center.
Your doctor has recommended that you have a procedure
called a colonoscopy.
Over the next few minutes we will discuss
what you need to do to successfully prepare
for this procedure.
Your nurse will have provided you
with an instruction sheet.
Please follow along.
It is important that you consult
with your primary care physician
if you are taking any type of blood thinner medications.
Also, please notify your doctor of any allergies
you may have to medicines or any other substances.
Please refer to your instruction sheet
which should address your specific needs.
If you are a diabetic and you are taking insulin or a pill,
please only take half of your dose on the days
you are prepping for your procedure.
Be sure that you do not take any diabetic medication
the morning of your procedure.
If you have any questions,
please consult with your primary care physician.
You will begin your colon preparation one or two days
before your actual colonoscopy.
That actual start and stop date of your prep
are written on your instruction sheet.
On your instruction sheet you will also find
a list of foods that you should avoid.
Please be sure to avoid all solid foods,
dairy products, soups with noodles or rice,
meat, bread or cereals.
Please avoid drinks such as orange juice,
pineapple juice, milkshakes, smoothies
and all alcoholic beverages.
You are to only have clear liquids.
Please drink at least 8 ounces of clear liquid
every hour to stay hydrated.
Some healthy choices that you are able to eat
during your prep are clear broth, popsicles, gelatin,
water, sports drinks, honey, sugar,
hard candy or apple juice.
You are able to have tea or coffee,
but it must not have any cream.
Please avoid all red or purple liquids.
You will cleanse your colon the day before your procedure.
Your colon prep kit should contain a jug,
a pill and a bottle.
However, some patients will not receive the glass bottle.
All of these are laxatives
that will help clean your colon for the procedure.
In the morning on the day before your colonoscopy procedure,
fill the jug with water to the line on the side of the jug.
Add Crystal Light, lemon flavor only,
for taste if you like.
Shake the jug well and place in the refrigerator.
For those of you
who have the glass bottle of magnesium citrate,
place it in the refrigerator also.
Between 2 and 6 p.m.
take the jug out of the refrigerator,
shake well and start drinking.
Try to drink all of it within four hours.
You may start earlier or finish later.
Some patients have found it easier to drink with a straw,
but the most important thing
is to drink all of the entire amount.
In the evening, at 6 p.m.
take the tiny Bisacodyl pill.
Make sure you continue to drink plenty of fluids.
At night or early morning,
your instruction sheet will tell you when,
drink the bottle of magnesium citrate.
Make sure that you follow the magnesium citrate
with one full glass of water.
The consumption of colon cleansing products
like Golytely, Bisacodyl and Magnesium Citrate
will interrupt your normal bowel function.
These products will cause you to have very frequent
and urgent diarrhea.
It is advised that after starting
your colon preparation medications,
you should be in the comforts of your home
and close to a bathroom.
Please remember to arrive 45 minutes
before your scheduled procedure time.
If you are not able to have a responsible adult to assist you,
your procedure will have to be rescheduled
for a later date.
Remember, if you have any questions,
please consult your nurse or doctor.
I hope you have a successful colonoscopy procedure
and thank you for your service to our country!