Stool Analysis Test

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following conditions might necessitate a stool analysis?

Patient with skin rash due to parasitic infection (correct)

Patient with a broken bone

Patient with abdominal pain (correct)

Patient with high blood pressure

What is the main component of feces?

Cellulose (correct)

Carbohydrates

Vitamins

Proteins

Why are feces normally brown in color?

Because of undigested carbohydrates

Because of the presence of vitamins

Due to the bacterial degradation of proteins

Because of bile pigments converted to stercobilin (correct)

Which substance is responsible for the characteristic odor of feces?

Skatole Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following substances can be found in feces?

Electrolytes Signup and view all the answers

What amount of fecal material does an average adult excrete per day?

100 to 200g Signup and view all the answers

What alteration in fecal characteristics might indicate the presence of a disease?

Changes in color, odor, consistency or shape Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct procedure for collecting a stool sample for analysis?

Make sure no urine or other materials contaminate the sample Signup and view all the answers

What is a physiological cause of high alkaline stool?

High protein diet Signup and view all the answers

What type of stool consistency might indicate diarrhea?

Semi-solid stool Signup and view all the answers

Which organism is likely to be found in blood and mucus in the stool?

Entamoeba histolytica Signup and view all the answers

Which naked eye observable parasite might appear in the stool?

Ascaris lumbricoides Signup and view all the answers

What pathological condition can result in high acidic stool?

High carbohydrate diet Signup and view all the answers

Which finding in stool might suggest poor absorption of sugars?

High acidic stool Signup and view all the answers

Which compound is primarily responsible for the brown color of stool?

Stercobilin Signup and view all the answers

Black colored stool can be an indication of which of the following?

Iron medication or upper GIT bleeding Signup and view all the answers

What does bright red colored stool (Hematochezia) commonly indicate?

Lower GIT bleeding Signup and view all the answers

What does a clay (gray-white) colored stool indicate?

Obstructive jaundice Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can cause very offensive stool odor?

Constipation and certain foods producing excessive gases Signup and view all the answers

What does pale brown stool with a greasy consistency commonly indicate?

Pancreatic deficiency Signup and view all the answers

What condition is associated with yellow-green colored stool?

Breast-fed infants lacking normal intestinal flora Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs can cause a red-brown color in stool?

Tetracyclines Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Stool Analysis

Stool analysis is a series of tests done on a stool sample to help diagnose conditions affecting the digestive tract.
Indications for stool analysis:
- Abdominal pain or discomfort
- Diarrhea
- Anemia
- Malnutrition or failure to thrive
- Abnormal stool color
- Skin diseases potentially related to parasitic infections

Composition and Characteristics of Feces

Feces consist mainly of:
- Cellulose
- Undigested foodstuff
- Water (up to 70%)
Other substances normally found in stools:
- Epithelial cells
- Fats
- Bile pigments (urobilin)
- Gastrointestinal and pancreatic secretions
- Electrolytes
Average adult fecal output: 100-200g per day
Stool characteristics:
- Normally brown due to bacterial degradation of bile pigments to stercobilin
- Characteristic odor caused by bacterial action on proteins and residues

Collection and Transport of Fecal Specimens

Collect 10-15g of stool in a dry, clean container
Avoid contamination with urine, water, soil, or other materials
If necessary, collect a specimen by inserting a cotton wool swab into the rectum for 10 seconds
Transport specimen to the laboratory within 30 minutes of passage

General Stool Examination (GST)

Macroscopic Examination

Stool characteristics examined:
- Color
- Odor
- pH
- Consistency
- Naked eye parasites
- Gross blood, mucus, and pus

Stool Characteristics

Color
- Normal: Brown due to stercobilin and urobinin
- Abnormal:
  - Black: Iron medication or upper GIT bleeding
  - Bright red: Lower GIT bleeding
  - Clay: Obstructive jaundice
  - Pale brown: Pancreatic deficiency causing malabsorption of fat
  - Yellow-green: Breast-fed infants or bacterial imbalance
  - Red-brown: Certain medications (e.g., Tetracyclines, Rifambicin)
Odor
- Normal: Offensively smelly due to bacterial fermentation
- Abnormal:
  - Very offensive: Constipation, certain foods, bacterial infection, or malabsorption
  - Foul-smelling: Steatorrhea
pH (reaction)
- Normal: Variable and diet-dependent
- Abnormal:
  - High alkaline: High protein diet or secretory diarrhea, colitis, or antibiotic use
  - High acidic: High carbohydrate diet or poor fat absorption, lactose intolerance
Consistency
- Normal: Well-formed
- Abnormal:
  - Semi-solid or watery: Diarrhea or dysentery
  - Cysts: Formed stools
  - Trophozoites: Watery stools
Blood, Mucus, or Pus
- Normal: None
- Abnormal:
  - Blood and mucus: Amoebic dysentery
  - Blood and pus: Bacillary dysentery
  - Only blood: Diarrhea caused by certain bacteria (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli, Clostridium difficile)
Naked Eye Parasites
- Normal: None
- Abnormal:
  - Ascaris lumbricoides
  - Enterobius vermicularis

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Description

A series of tests done on a stool sample to diagnose conditions affecting the digestive tract. It helps identify issues in patients with abdominal pain, diarrhea, anemia, and more.