Final answer:
It is true that lactulose helps pull ammonia from the bloodstream into the bowel and leads to the production of 2-3 soft stools per day, acting as a treatment for hepatic encephalopathy by reducing high ammonia levels seen in severe liver disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that lactulose pulls ammonia from the bloodstream into the bowel and produces 2-3 soft stools per day is true. Lactulose is a synthetic sugar used in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy, a condition caused by severe liver disease. It works by reducing the amount of ammonia in the blood. Ammonia is a toxic byproduct of protein metabolism and is normally converted by the liver into less toxic substances. When the liver is damaged, its ability to remove ammonia is compromised, which can lead to the accumulation of ammonia and subsequent brain dysfunction. Lactulose helps by lowering blood ammonia levels; it is metabolized by colonic bacteria to form acids that trap ammonia in the colon in the form of ammonium (NH4+). This ammonium is then excreted in the stool. By increasing stool acidity and volume, lactulose also promotes increased bowel movements, typically leading to 2-3 soft stools per day. Furthermore, this mechanism assists in maintaining the hyperosmotic environment of the medulla, which is essential for the countercurrent multiplier system that is crucial for water and sodium recovery in circulation.