Final answer:
The Trendelenburg position, where the patient's feet are elevated above the head, may be required during a small bowel series for patients with increased abdominal girth or obesity to improve the visibility of the small intestine and help the movement of contrast medium due to gravity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Trendelenburg position is a medical practice where the patient's body is laid flat on the back (supine position) with the feet higher than the head by about 15-30 degrees. This position increases venous return to the heart and can be beneficial under specific circumstances. It is sometimes required during a small bowel series, which is an X-ray examination of the small intestine.
For patients with particular body habits, such as those with increased abdominal girth or obese patients, the Trendelenburg position may help to spread the abdominal contents and improve the visibility of the small bowel during the imaging process. The position may also be used to take advantage of gravity to enhance the flow of the contrast medium (a substance ingested or injected to provide contrast to structures or fluids within the body on the X-ray) through the small intestine. This can be particularly useful if there is a concern about slow transit time through the gut due to a patient's specific anatomy or motility issues.