Questions to Ask Before Any Lab or Imaging Test

What to Ask Before a Lab or Imaging Test Is Ordered

Before a lab or imaging test is ordered, ask what it will check, how to prepare, when the results will arrive, and who will explain them. These four questions, drawn from federal patient-communication guidance, help you understand a test’s purpose and next steps before you leave the visit.

In practice, this usually happens fast. Your doctor says, “Let’s get some bloodwork,” or “I want you to get an X-ray,” and the visit is almost over. It is easy to nod, say thank you, and leave without asking anything else. If you want help organizing your priorities for the whole visit, not just the test part, our guide on preparing for a primary care visit walks through that separately.

Why Was This Specific Test Chosen?

Ask what the test checks and what led your doctor to recommend it, so you understand its purpose before you focus on scheduling.

• What is this test checking, and what led you to recommend it today?
• Is this routine, or are you following up on a symptom or a prior result?
• If the test comes back normal, does that rule something out, or would you still want to look further?
• Is there more than one way to check this, and why did you choose this particular test?

You do not need a medical explanation of how the test works. You are asking so that when the result comes in, you already know which question it answers.

How Should I Prepare Before the Test?

Ask about fasting, medication, and timing instructions before you leave the office, since these are easy to forget once you are back in your routine.

• Do I need to fast, or avoid food or drink, before this test? For how long?
• Should I take my usual medications as normal, or hold any of them beforehand?
• Is there anything I should avoid in the day or two before, such as certain foods, supplements, or activities?
• Do I need a ride afterward, or can I drive myself?
• How long will the test take, and should I plan extra time around it?

If your doctor mentions changing a medication, ask them to say it back to you plainly, or write it down before you leave. Do not start, stop, or adjust any medication based on a general assumption. Confirm the instruction directly with your doctor or pharmacist.

When and How Will I Get My Results?

Ask when to expect results, how they will reach you, and what to do if you haven’t heard anything by a certain point.

• When should I expect the results, and how will I receive them: by phone, via a portal message, or during a follow-up visit?
• If I have not heard anything by a certain date, should I call your office, or is no news considered normal?
• Who will explain what the result means: you, another clinician, or a portal message?
• If the result is abnormal, what is the usual next step?

Federal patient-communication guidance on preparing for a test conversation points to these same categories: what the test involves, how to prepare, what happens during it, and when and from whom results will arrive. Asking about all four, not just the test itself, is what closes the loop.

What Happens After the Results Come In?

Plan the next step, such as a referral or follow-up visit, before results exist rather than figuring it out while anxious about what they might mean.

• If this test leads to a referral or another test, what would that process usually look like?
• Should I schedule a follow-up visit now, or wait until results are in?
• Is there a number or portal message I should use if I have questions before the follow-up?

Guidance from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality on talking with your doctor emphasizes getting the actual results of any test and discussing what they mean directly with your doctor, rather than assuming a result is fine because no one called.

When Should I Ask About Timing Right Away?

If your doctor uses words like “urgent” or “as soon as possible,” ask about timing immediately rather than waiting for a portal message.

In most cases, a few days between the visit and the test, and a week or two for results, is routine. But if a symptom is described as needing a closer look soon, ask directly: “How soon should this test happen, and how soon should I expect to hear back?” If you develop new or worsening symptoms while waiting for a test or its results, contact your doctor’s office, or your local emergency services if the symptoms feel severe or sudden. This guide is not a substitute for that judgment call.

What’s a Simple Decision Path I Can Follow?

Use this sequence to stay on top of a test from the moment it’s ordered through the moment you understand the result.

1. Before you leave the visit: confirm what the test checks, how to prepare, and when to expect results.
2. Before the test: follow any fasting, medication, or activity instructions exactly as given, and ask again if anything is unclear.
3. After the test, before results arrive: note the date you were told to expect them, and how they will reach you.
4. If results do not arrive by that date: call the office and ask directly, rather than assuming no news is good news.
5. Once results arrive: ask what they mean for you specifically, and what, if anything, happens next.

What Can’t This Guide Tell Me?

This guide cannot tell you which test is right for you, what your results mean, or what to do next medically. Only your doctor, working from your specific history and symptoms, can make those calls. Our editorial policy explains how we source and update guides like this one, and how to request a correction if something looks out of date. If you are ever unsure whether something needs urgent attention, contact your doctor’s office or local emergency services rather than waiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to fast before every blood test?

Not always — it depends on what the test is checking. Some blood tests require fasting for several hours beforehand, while others don’t require any preparation at all. Ask your doctor specifically whether your test requires fasting and, if so, for how long.

How long does it usually take to get lab or imaging results back?

Turnaround time varies by test type and lab, from same-day to a week or more. Rather than guessing, ask your doctor directly when to expect results and what to do if that date passes without word.

What if my doctor doesn’t mention how I’ll get my results?

Ask before you leave the visit. Confirm whether results will come by phone, a patient portal message, or only at a follow-up appointment, so you know what to watch for and when to follow up if you haven’t heard anything.

Can I get a copy of my own test results?

In general, patients have a right to access their own health records, including test results, though the process for requesting them varies by clinic and health system. Ask your doctor’s office how they handle access to results and any patient portal available to you.

What should I do if I don’t understand what my results mean?

Say so directly and ask your doctor to explain it again in plain language, or ask them to draw a picture or write it down if that helps. It is reasonable to keep asking until the explanation makes sense to you before ending the conversation.

Sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Talking with Your Doctor about Colorectal Cancer Screening”; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, “Step 3: Talk With Your Doctor”.

Medical Information Disclaimer

This article is for general educational purposes and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare provider. Primary Care Visit Guide is an independent educational publication and is not a medical clinic, local provider, appointment service, or physician practice. Always talk with your own doctor about which tests are right for you and what your results mean.

By Primary Care Visit Guide Editorial Team. Last updated September 8, 2026.