Question

Which information would the nurse include when teaching parents about the basic problem in celiac disease?

1 Green stools
2 Intolerance of gluten
3 Absence of intestinal villi
4 Susceptibility to severe dehydration

Answer 1

The primary problem in celiac disease is an intolerance to gluten, which leads to damage in the small intestine and results in malabsorption. A gluten-free diet is essential for treatment and managing symptoms.

Step-by-step explanation:

When teaching parents about the basic problem in celiac disease, the nurse would include information about the intolerance of gluten. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. The immune response damages the microvilli, which are responsible for nutrient absorption, resulting in malabsorption and an array of symptoms such as diarrhea, nutritional deficiencies, and increased risk for certain serious complications if left untreated.

Removing all gluten from the diet is necessary to limit and potentially reverse intestinal damage caused by celiac disease. In certain cases, additional medical treatments such as steroids may be required to reduce inflammation. Serological tests and biopsies are typically used in the diagnosis of the disease.