Final answer:
In clients with cystic fibrosis, the stool typically appears fatty, foul-smelling, frothy, and floaty due to malabsorption caused by pancreatic insufficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The appearance of the stool in a client with cystic fibrosis (CF) can often be described by the '4 Fs': fatty, foul-smelling, frothy, and floaty. These characteristics result from malabsorption due to the pancreatic insufficiency common in CF, leading to steatorrhea, a type of stool that is high in fat content. The fat in the stool causes it to be lighter, which can make it float in the toilet. The inability to properly digest and absorb fats makes the stools greasy or fatty, leading to an unusually foul odor. Lastly, the stool may appear frothy due to excess gases produced by undigested fats.