Question

A patient visited a nurse practitioner because he had diarrhea for 2 weeks. He described his stool as large and greasy. The nurse knows that this description is consistent with a diagnosis of ________.

1) A small bowel disorder.
2) Intestinal malabsorption.
3) Inflammatory colitis.
4) A disorder of the large bowel.

Answer 1

The patient's symptoms of large and greasy stool are consistent with a diagnosis of intestinal malabsorption, which is caused by the inability to properly absorb nutrients from the intestine.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient's description of large and greasy stool is consistent with a diagnosis of intestinal malabsorption. Intestinal malabsorption occurs when the body is unable to properly absorb nutrients from the intestine, resulting in loose, fatty, and bulky stools. This condition can be caused by disorders such as celiac disease, lactose intolerance, or pancreatic insufficiency.