ARRT Patient Care Practice Exam

Which examination typically requires ingestion of gas-producing powder or crystals?

1. Double contrast barium enema (BE)

2. Double contrast gastrointestinal (GI) series

3. Oral cholecystogram

4. IV urogram (IVU)

The correct answer is: Oral cholecystogram

The examination that typically requires the ingestion of gas-producing powder or crystals is the oral cholecystogram. This procedure is designed to visualize the gallbladder and biliary tract, and the use of gas-producing agents aids in creating a better distinction between structures by enhancing the contrast of the images obtained during the examination. When a patient ingests these agents, it produces gas in the intestinal tract. This gas creates an artificial contrast effect, which improves the imaging of the gallbladder and helps highlight any potential abnormalities or gallstones present. In contrast, other examinations listed, such as the double contrast barium enema and the double contrast gastrointestinal series, utilize barium as the primary contrast agent but do not typically require the ingestion of gas-producing substances. The IV urogram relies on intravenous contrast rather than ingestion, rendering it unsuitable for this question. Thus, the oral cholecystogram distinctly stands out as the appropriate examination that necessitates the ingestion of gas-producing powder or crystals.