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What is the expected effect of cold barium on colon examination?
Increases bowel motility
Reduces irritation to the colon
Enhances absorption
Causes swelling
The correct answer is: Reduces irritation to the colon
In the context of colon examination, the expected effect of cold barium is primarily related to its physical properties and how it interacts with the colon during imaging procedures. Cold barium is used for its ability to reduce irritation to the colonic mucosa. This is particularly important since barium is a contrast agent used in radiographic examinations to enhance the visibility of the gastrointestinal tract. By being colder, barium can be less irritating to sensitive tissue, minimizing discomfort for the patient during the procedure. In addition to this primaryreason, cold barium may also help in achieving clearer imaging results. A lower temperature may lead to slower flow, allowing the barium to coat the colon walls more effectively without stimulating excessive bowel motility or causing spasms. The other options do not accurately reflect the properties of cold barium in this context. For instance, it does not increase bowel motility; rather, it stabilizes the colon for more effective imaging. It also does not enhance absorption, as absorption is not a primary concern during a radiographic evaluation of the colon. Lastly, while barium usage can sometimes lead to swelling, this is generally associated more with its physical presence within the colon rather than an effect of the barium being at a colder temperature.