Final answer:
The examinations should be performed in the following order: Upper GI series, Intravenous Urogram (IVU), followed by the Barium Enema (BE). This order ensures that the test substances used in earlier exams do not interfere with subsequent examinations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Order of Examinations: Upper GI series, IVU, BE
When conducting various gastrointestinal examinations, the order is essential to minimize potential interference one test may have with another. An Upper GI series, which uses a form of real-time x-ray called fluoroscopy and a barium-based contrast material to produce images of the esophagus, stomach, and small intestine, should be performed first. This is important because it involves a visual inspection and the barium coating must be clear of other contrasts.
Following the Upper GI series, an Intravenous Urogram (IVU), also known as Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP), which is an x-ray exam of the urinary tract using iodinated contrast material, should be performed. This is because iodine-based contrasts typically used in IVUs can cause the stomach lining to appear irritated if there's residual barium from a recent Barium Enema (BE).
Finally, the Barium Enema (BE), an x-ray exam that can detect changes or abnormalities in the large intestine (colon and rectum), should be performed last. Administering it after the Upper GI series and IVU ensures that the results of the previous two exams are not compromised by the presence of barium in the large intestine.
Therefore, the order of examinations recommended is:
- Upper GI Series
- Intravenous Urogram (IVU) or Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP)
- Barium Enema (BE)