Final answer:
A patient may develop iatrogenic anemia during a prolonged hospitalization due to frequent blood draws for laboratory tests. Additionally, with chronic watery diarrhea, a blood test might reveal electrolyte imbalances and dehydration.
Step-by-step explanation:
During a prolonged hospitalization, a patient requiring many laboratory tests may develop a condition called iogenic anemia. This is due to the cumulative loss of blood for tests leading to a decrease in the patient's blood volume and red blood cell count. Constant blood draws can remove a significant quantity of blood over time, and while the body can regenerate this lost blood, in a hospital setting where draws are frequent and the patient's health may be compromised, this can result in anemia.
A patient with chronic watery diarrhea for two months is likely to have an electrolyte imbalance and possibly dehydration, which would show up in a blood test. Conditions with such persistent symptoms would be expected to cause significant disturbances in the balance of necessary minerals and fluids in the body.