FAST Exam – Part 6
The last area to be examined in the FAST exam is the pelvic area. This is accomplished by placing the ultrasound transducer 2 inches above the symphysis pubis (pubic bone) in a transverse orientation (this means that the patient’s right side appears on the left of the screen).
Downward pressure is placed on the probe as it is rocked from side-to-side. If the study is done with a full bladder (desirable) the distended bladder (seen as black on the screen) and the deep pelvis can be visualized. If there is signifinicant blood in the pelvis, loops of bowel peristalsing (contracting) can sometimes be visualized.
Copyright 2006 Insidesurgery.com