| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Negative contrast media | Gases; has low atomic number; is radiolucent (easily penetrated); increase in photographic density; most common = air; almost always used with positive agents |
| Positive contrast media | Has a high atomic number; is radiopaque (prevents xrays from reaching film); appears white; decrease in photographic density; barium sulfate (BaSO4) - most commonly used in radiology |
| Barium sulfate (BaSO4) | Positive agent; inert organic salt; atomic number of 56; is not water soluble; mixed as a suspension; can't be naturally absorbed by body; orally or rectally administered (never IV); use water soluble agent if chance of bowel perforation exists |
| Iodinated contrast agents | Positive agent used in radiography of the urinary system; has fairly high atomic #; can be water-soluble, or oil based; Useful when a rupture of the GI tract is suspected; can be absorbed into the blood stream, barium can not; more expensive then barium and present greater risk of reaction |
| Double-contrast exam | Air contrast; barium and air used together; Barium coats the mucosal lining of the alimentary canal while air fills the lumen |
| Glucagon | Anticholinergic drug with low incidence of side effects; causes relaxation of the smooth muscle of the GI tract, prevents cramping, and slows peristalsis |
| Barium enema | Lower GI diagnostic test to demonstrate from cecum to rectum |
| Double-contrast barium enema | Provides enhanced visualization of the mucosal lining of the lower GI |
| Defecography | A lower GI tract examination done for patients with defecation dysfunction |
| Upper gastrointestinal series (UGI) | Examination that looks at the upper and middle sections of the gastrointestinal tract; uses barium contrast material, fluoroscopy, and X-ray; esophagus, stomach, and duodenum are examined |
| Valsalva maneuver | Useful in diagnosis of hiatal hernia |
| Small bowel study | Study of which has 3 ways to introduce contrast: Oral (patient drinks barium), Reflux (begin filling at the colon, and Enteroclysis (Injection into target area by passing a catheter to the distal portion of the duodenum and injecting barium) |
Combine with other sets
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