Final answer:
A pregnant patient may be instructed to drink water prior to an ultrasound to ensure a full bladder, which can improve image quality. Ultrasound is a safe, non-invasive technique used to monitor fetal growth and can reveal remarkable details with advanced systems, including 3D imaging. It is also versatile, capable of both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a pregnant patient is scheduled for an ultrasound to determine fetal size, it is typically part of the standard prenatal care. Ultrasound imaging is the technique of choice for studying fetal growth and development due to its safety and non-invasive nature. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the fetus inside the uterus, which can provide valuable information on the fetus's development and help identify any potential issues early on. Advanced ultrasound systems can produce significant detail, allowing for 3D imaging and superior density information compared to X-rays. These images can help assess if the fetus is growing at a normal rate and strengthen the emotional bonding between the parents and the unborn child. Ultrasound is also versatile, with applications extending beyond prenatal care, such as echocardiology and the treatment of cancerous tumors.
Before the procedure, the patient may be advised to have a full bladder, which can improve the quality of the ultrasound images. They may be asked to drink water prior to the appointment and to avoid urinating until after the scan.
Regarding the function of ultrasound, the technology is multifaceted. It can be used for both diagnostic imaging, as in the observation of a fetus in the womb, and therapeutic purposes, such as the destruction of cancerous tumors through a process called HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound). The former utilizes lower intensities of sound, avoiding any damage to the tissue, while the latter uses focused, higher intensity ultrasound to target and heat tumor cells to the point of destruction without affecting surrounding healthy tissue.