Question

While discussing pancreatic enzymes, the nurse educator explains that the dosage of the pancreatic enzyme is adjusted according to stool formation, which indicates how well Darla is digesting her food. Which adjustment would the nurse anticipate will be required, if Darla has loose, fatty stools?

a) Increase the dosage of pancreatic enzymes.
b) Maintain the current dosage of pancreatic enzymes.
c) Discontinue the pancreatic enzymes temporarily.
d) Decrease the dosage of pancreatic enzymes.

Answer 1

Given Darla's loose, fatty stools, the nurse would likely increase the dosage of pancreatic enzymes to improve fat digestion and alleviate the symptoms of steatorrhea.

Step-by-step explanation:

If Darla has loose, fatty stools, this suggests that her digestion, particularly of fats, may be impaired. The presence of fatty stools, also known as steatorrhea, can indicate that the pancreatic enzymes responsible for fat digestion are not working effectively or are not present in sufficient quantities. Since the pancreas produces enzymes like pancreatic lipase to break down triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol, inadequate digestion of lipids due to insufficient enzyme activity can result in fatty stools. Therefore, the nurse would anticipate that an increase in the dosage of pancreatic enzymes may be required to improve Darla's digestion and reduce the steatorrhea.