Final answer:
The correct order for a patient to have a CT of the abdomen, GI series, and barium enema is: GI series first, followed by the CT scan, and finally the barium enema to ensure diagnostic clarity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct order for scheduling a patient's radiographic examinations, which include the CT of the abdomen, a GI series, and a barium enema, takes into account the nature of these tests and how they might affect one another. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen provides detailed X-ray images of abdominal organs and is typically done without interference from barium, which is used in a GI series and barium enema. These latter procedures involve the use of barium sulfate, which can obscure details on a CT if performed beforehand. A barium enema and a GI series also involve the introduction of barium into the gastrointestinal tract, but a GI series primarily focuses on the upper gastrointestinal tract, whereas a barium enema evaluates the large bowel. As such, the GI series should be performed first to avoid barium from enema preparation obscuring the view during the upper GI examination. Therefore, the correct ordering of these procedures to maintain diagnostic clarity and accuracy would be: B. GI series, CT of the abdomen, barium enema.