For some types of X‐ray, such as the barium swallow or enema, the patient is usually required to drink the contrast or have it administered via an enema, and a series of X‐ray pictures is taken at various intervals. Afterwards, the patient must be advised to drink plenty of fluids to clear their system of the contrast as quickly as possible (Chernecky and Berger [32]).

The radiology department should inform the patient of any requirements prior to the booked procedure, such as being nil by mouth. For most examinations, the patient will be asked to remove some of their clothing and change into a hospital gown, to ensure that no artefacts (any feature in an image that misrepresents the object in the field of view) are caused in the area of clinical interest on the X‐ray image (McRobbie [139]). It is advisable for the patient not to wear jewellery at the time of the appointment as in most cases this will have to be removed, again to prevent the presence of artefacts on the image. For all X‐rays, the patient will be required to keep still to prevent any blurring of the images. Some procedures are performed on inspiration or expiration, and the patient will be given the appropriate breathing instructions by the operator performing the procedure (Chernecky and Berger [32]).