Diarrhea and Constipation

Question 1

Stool frequency of less than three per week. Characterized by straining, dard Stool, incomplete evacuation

Answer 1

constipation

Question 2

Common causes of constipation

Answer 2

inadequate fiber and fluid intake, and inactivity

Question 3

Done to observe transit time in patients with refractory constipation not responding to conservative measures

Answer 3

Colonic Transit Study

Question 4

First and foremost management of constipation

Answer 4

prevention

Question 5

key stimulus to colon peristalsis and defecation

Answer 5

excercise

Question 6

T/F constipated stools are high in water content

Answer 6

false, they are low in water content

Question 7

T/F chronic constipation responds poorly to fiber

Answer 7

true

Question 8

Name the two stool softening agents

Answer 8

Colace (docusate sodium)

Docusate calcium

Question 9

Name the two stimulant laxatives

Answer 9

Bisacodyl and Senna

Question 10

Opioid-receptor antagonist approved for constipated palliative care pts, pts on chronic opiod tx, doesn’t effect central analgesia

Answer 10

Methylnaltrexone

Question 11

increase in daily stool weight above 200-300g/24hrs. increase in stool liquidity and/or frequency

Answer 11

diarrhea

Question 12

Range for normal bowel frequency

Answer 12

anywhere from three times a week to three times a day

Question 13

Caused by decreased absorption, increased secretion of fluid and electrolytes, or increase in bowel motility

Answer 13

diarrhea

Question 14

Quantification for acute, persistent, and chronic diarrhea according to the American Gastroenterological Association

Answer 14

acute less than 14 days. persistent 15-29 days. chronic more than 30 days

Question 15

Common cause of acute diarrhea. Associated symptoms include fever, cramping pain, dehydration

Answer 15

infections with viruses and bacteria

Question 16

Causes of chronic diarrhea

Answer 16

irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease, or malabsorption syndromes

Question 17

Presence indicated bowel mucosal inflammation, which occurs in invasive bacterial enteritis and Ulcerative colitis

Answer 17

fecal leukocytes

Question 18

more specific than guaiac tests because they respond only to human globin and do not detect upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Answer 18

fecal occult blood

Question 19

Conditions associated with steattorhea

Answer 19

Sprue, Crohn’s, Whipples Dz

Question 20

Name the opiate antidiarrheal agents used for mild to moderate secretory diarrhea

Answer 20

Diphenoxylate (Lomotil) and Loperamide (Immodium)‏

Question 21

Name the agent used to treat diarrhea caused by ileal bile salt malabsorption

Answer 21

Cholestyramine (Questran)‏