Fecal Analysis

Question 1

Uses for fecal analysis

Answer 1

bleeding in GI tract
differential diagnosis of diarrhea
steatorrhea, malabsorption, maldigestion
hepatic, biliary, & pancreatic diseases

Question 2

composition of feces

Answer 2

undigested foodstuffs
intestinal epithelium
intestinal bacteria
GI secretions
bile pigments
electrolytes
water

Question 3

Diarrhea formation

Answer 3

if water absorption is inhibited or inadequate time allowed for absorption
increased volume, liquidity & frequency of bowel movements

Question 4

3 reasons for diarrhea

Answer 4

secretory-increased solute secretions by intestine draws water & electrolytes into intestine
osmotic- increases osmotically active solutes
intestinal hypermotility

Question 5

examples of secretory diarrhea

Answer 5

enterotoxin-producing organisms

damage to mucosa due to drugs or disease

Question 6

examples of osmotic diarrhea

Answer 6

maldigestion

malabsorption

Question 7

examples of intestinal hypermotility diarrhea

Answer 7

abdominal distention stimulates motility

laxatives, stress, drugs etc

Question 8

constipation

Answer 8

stationary bowel contents or decreased intestinal motility

Question 9

steatorrhea

Answer 9

fecal fat excretion >7 g/day

common feature of malabsorption syndromes

Question 10

look of steatorrhea feces

Answer 10

pale, greasy, spongy, or pasty & very foul smelling

Question 11

specimen collection

Answer 11

clean, sealable, leakproof containers

avoid contamination w/ urine, toilet tissue or toilet water etc

Question 12

normal color

Answer 12

brown due to urobilin

Question 13

black color

Answer 13

blood in the upper GI tract

Fe therapy

Question 14

Red color

Answer 14

blood in the lower GI
food dyes
drugs

Question 15

Pale color

Answer 15

post hepatic obstruction

Question 16

greasy, spongy feces

Answer 16

steatorrhea

Question 17

mucus in feces

Answer 17

constipation, colon disease

Question 18

consistency & form

Answer 18

normal: formed, cylindrical masses

may be bulky due to undigested foodstuffs or increased gas

Question 19

odor

Answer 19

metabolic by-products of intestinal flora

Question 20

WBCs present

Answer 20

indicates that intestinal wall is infected

Question 21

WBCs not present

Answer 21

indicate that intestinal wall is not inovlved

Question 22

Neutrophils

Answer 22

1 to 3/hpf indicative of invasive & inflammatory condition

Question 23

Fecal fats

Answer 23

used to detect maldigestion or malabsorption

fat stains

Question 24

Occult blood

Answer 24

blood not visually apparent

early symptom of colorectal cancer !!!!!

Question 25

occult blood principle

Answer 25

GUAIAC-based: pseudoperoxidase activity of hemoglobin heme resulting in color change (blue = positive)