A status messaging protocol (140) for a power injector (10) is disclosed. A setup screen (230) may be displayed on a graphical user interface (11) associated with the power injector (10). A status message (268) is displayed in a status message zone (266) on the setup screen (230). As the status of the power injector (10) changes, the status message (268) in the status message zone (266) on the setup screen (230) is updated.