Final answer:
For a patient with a suspected perforated ulcer requiring a GI series, a water-soluble contrast medium is used instead of barium sulfate to avoid complications. Endoscopy may also be used for a direct visualization and definitive diagnosis. Peptic ulcers could be caused by factors like H. pylori and might need emergency surgery if perforation occurs.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a GI series has been requested on a patient with a suspected perforated ulcer, the type of contrast medium that should typically be used is water-soluble contrast rather than barium sulfate. It is important to use a non-barium contrast medium because barium can cause complications if it leaks into the peritoneal cavity through a perforation. In the case of a suspected perforated ulcer, a water-soluble contrast under fluoroscopy is often used to determine if there is a perforation. Endoscopy can also be utilized for a definitive diagnosis as it allows for direct visualization of the stomach and duodenum, where peptic ulcers can be identified.
Peptic ulcers are typical health issues diagnosed based on symptoms or the presence of H. pylori in the gastrointestinal tract. While the standard barium sulfate contrast is used for other conditions such as acid reflux disease and Crohn's disease, in the case of a perforated ulcer, water-soluble contrast is the safer choice to avoid potential complications.