Final answer:
A significant laboratory test for a patient with chronic diarrhea might involve a CBC and stool pathogen tests. The diagnosis could include IBS, IBD, or an infectious disease, with treatment based on the confirmed diagnosis. DFA tests can detect pathogens using fluorescently-labeled antibodies.
Step-by-step explanation:
When diagnosing a patient with chronic, watery diarrhea, a significant laboratory test could include a complete blood count (CBC) to check for signs of infection or anemia, and stool tests to look for pathogens. If there is a family history of gastrointestinal disorders, this could suggest a genetic predisposition to certain conditions, or the potential for an infectious disease if there's a pattern of illness within the family.
The diagnosis for a patient with chronic watery diarrhea may vary based on additional tests, which could include checks for parasites, viruses, or bacteria. Based on symptoms and test results, possible conditions include irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or an infectious gastrointestinal disease like giardiasis.
A direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA) may be used to detect a pathogen directly from patient samples, such as bacteria or parasites, using a fluorescently-labeled monoclonal antibody (mAb). Treatment for such conditions may involve antibiotics, antiparasitic medication, or other specific therapies depending on the confirmed diagnosis.