Which statement regarding barium sulfate as a contrast media is true?

Barium sulfate is widely used as a radiographic contrast agent because it provides excellent visualization of various parts of the gastrointestinal tract during imaging studies. When mixed with water, rather than dissolving, barium sulfate forms a suspension. This means that it does not completely dissolve into the solution but instead remains dispersed throughout the liquid, which is crucial for it to coat the lining of the gastrointestinal tract effectively.

Additionally, barium sulfate is classified as radiopaque, meaning it appears white on x-rays. This property is vital as it allows the contrast medium to highlight structures in the body during imaging, making it easier for radiologists to identify abnormalities.

Therefore, since both the formation of a suspension when combined with water and the radiopaque nature of barium sulfate are accurate, the statement that encompasses both of these facts is true.