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Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Exam Prep

Category - Women's Health Nurse Practitioner

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Your primary care client is suffering from Steatorrhea.  Of the following, which is the most likely cause?

  1. Disruption in the activity of pancreatic enzymes
  2. Excessive production of bile salts by the liver
  3. Lack of intrinsic factor
  4. Issues with spleen function
  5. All of the above
Explanation

Answer: A - Steatorrhea may be caused by a disruption in the activity of pancreatic enzymes that help to digest fat. It may also be caused by inadequate production of bile salts, which are needed for fat absorption.  The definition of steatorrhea is an increase in fat excretion in the stools. Steatorrhea is one of the clinical features of fat malabsorption and is noted in many conditions such as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI), celiac disease, and tropical sprue.

Sources: NIH 

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