Question 1

Which food may help to alleviate diarrhea?

Accepted Answer

Applesauce is part of the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, toast) recommended for managing diarrhea because it's easy on the digestion and can help firm up stools. Pear juice, milk, sugar-free candies, and coffee can potentially worsen diarrhea. Pear juice and milk can be hard to digest for some people, especially those who are lactose intolerant. Sugar-free candies often contain sugar alcohols that can have a laxative effect. Coffee is a diuretic and can stimulate the gut, potentially exacerbating diarrhea.

Question 2

Which substance would not be included in a homemade oral rehydration solution?

Accepted Answer

Cornstarch is not typically included in oral rehydration solutions. The other options (table salt, sugar, baking soda, and potassium chloride) are commonly used in homemade ORS to help restore electrolyte and fluid balance in the body.

Question 3

Food borne illnesses can cause _____.

Accepted Answer

Food borne illnesses are typically caused by ingestion of bacteria or viruses that produce toxins, which can cause secretory diarrhea. Osmotic diarrhea, hyperosmotic diarrhea, steatorrhea, and chronic diarrhea are not typically caused by food borne illnesses.

Question 4

Commercial sports drinks are not recommended for the treatment of severe diarrhea because they are too ______.

Accepted Answer

Commercial sports drinks are typically high in sodium, which may exacerbate diarrhea symptoms. Therefore, low-sodium options are recommended for treating severe diarrhea.

Question 5

Which statement characterizes irritable bowel syndrome?​

Accepted Answer

Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by alternating episodes of diarrhea and constipation, as well as abdominal pain or discomfort. Symptoms are often triggered by certain foods, stress, or hormonal changes. There is no definitive cure for IBS, but management strategies focus on dietary changes, stress reduction, and medication. Herbal remedies are not consistently effective, and there is no evidence to support decreasing fiber intake in most cases. There is also no known increased risk of fistulas associated with IBS.

Question 6

Mr. Taylor seeks medical treatment for frequent, urgent bowel movements streaked with mucus and blood, and tests reveal a large, continuous area of inflammation affecting the first two layers of tissue in his rectum. What is Mr. Taylor's likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Mr. Taylor's symptoms and test results are consistent with ulcerative colitis, which is characterized by inflammation and ulcers in the colon and rectum, often leading to frequent, bloody bowel movements. Crohn's disease is another type of inflammatory bowel disease, but it typically affects deeper layers of tissue and can occur anywhere in the digestive tract. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten, which damages the small intestine. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder that causes abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel movements, but does not typically involve inflammation or blood in the stool. Fistulas are abnormal tunnels connecting different organs or tissues and are not directly related to Mr. Taylor's symptoms.

Question 7

The mother of a toddler is concerned about her child's frequent episodes of diarrhea. The dietitian suggests that the mother reduce the child's intake of _____.

Accepted Answer

Fruit juice can contain a high amount of sugar and may contribute to diarrhea. It is recommended to limit fruit juice intake in young children to no more than 4 ounces per day. The other options (oatmeal, rice, yogurt, bananas) are actually recommended to help alleviate diarrhea in children.

Question 8

Which form of inflammatory bowel disease is characterized by "skip" lesions?

Accepted Answer

Crohn's disease is known for its characteristic "skip" lesions, which means that the inflamed areas of the bowel are separated by segments of healthy tissue. This is in contrast to Ulcerative Colitis, which typically causes continuous inflammation without any healthy segments of tissue.

Question 9

Billy consumed the following foods at lunch: a hamburger with lettuce, tomato, and catsup on a bun; potato salad; and a diet carbonated beverage. Later that afternoon, Billy began to experience gas. Which of the following foods was most likely responsible for production of intestinal gas?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Billy consumed the following foods at lunch:...

Question 10

Ulceritive colitis always involves the _____.

Accepted Answer

Ulcerative colitis specifically refers to inflammation and ulceration of the colon and rectum, so the correct answer is E, rectum. The esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and ileum are not typically involved in ulcerative colitis.

Question 11

During an exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease, the patient should be placed on small, frequent meals of _____ to minimize stool output and reduce symptoms of malabsorption.

Accepted Answer

During an exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease, the intestinal tract is inflamed and more sensitive to certain foods. A low-fat, low-fiber diet helps to reduce stool output and minimize irritation to the intestinal wall. Small, frequent meals are also helpful in reducing symptoms. A low-sodium, low-calorie diet and a low-protein diet are not typically recommended during an exacerbation of inflammatory bowel disease. Parenteral nutrition (intravenous feeding) may be necessary in severe cases, but is typically not the first-line approach. A clear liquid diet is not recommended as it is low in nutrients and can exacerbate symptoms of malabsorption.

Question 12

Diarrhea is often classified according to the cause of the fluid loss. Nutrient malabsorption causes _____ diarrhea.

Accepted Answer

Nutrient malabsorption causes osmotic diarrhea. Osmotic diarrhea occurs when the presence of certain substances in the intestine prevents the absorption of water, leading to increased water content in the stool. This type of diarrhea usually stops when the person stops ingesting the offending substance.

Question 13

An excessive colonic response to meals, GI hormones, and stress is characteristic of _____.

Accepted Answer

The excessive colonic response to meals, GI hormones, and stress is a hallmark feature of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The other options listed (celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and fistulas) do not typically result in this symptomatology.

Question 14

The treatment for irritable bowel syndrome includes all of these methods except _____.​

Accepted Answer

Surgery is not a common or recommended treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. The other methods listed, such as dietary adjustments, stress management, behavioral therapy, and increased fiber intake, are commonly used to manage the symptoms of IBS.

Question 15

Lily is experiencing a sudden bout of diarrhea. Which food may worsen her symptoms?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Lily is experiencing a sudden bout of...

Question 16

Secretory diarrhea may be caused by _____.

Accepted Answer

Secretory diarrhea is caused by excessive secretion of fluids in the gut, which can result from bacterial toxins that stimulate excessive fluid secretion. B, C, D, and E may cause diarrhea, but not specifically secretory diarrhea.

Question 17

A patient whose intestinal mucosa has a cobblestone appearance most likely has _____.

Accepted Answer

The cobblestone appearance is a classic finding seen in Crohn's disease, which is an inflammatory bowel disease that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. The appearance is due to areas of inflammation and scarring, giving the mucosa a lumpy, bumpy appearance resembling a cobblestone street.

Question 18

Which strategy would be the first step in the treatment of someone with diarrhea?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which strategy would be the first step...

Question 19

Inflammation that may extend deeply into intestinal tissue and be accompanied by ulcerations, fissures, and fistulas is characteristic of _____.
Celiac disease

Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are characteristic of Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) which can affect any portion of the digestive tract and can result in deep tissue inflammation, ulcers, fissures, and fistulas. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder triggered by gluten, and while it can cause inflammation and damage to the intestinal lining, it typically does not result in the same type of deep tissue involvement seen in Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis is another type of IBD that affects only the colon, and while it can cause ulcers and inflammation in the colon lining, it does not typically extend as deeply into the tissue as Crohn's disease. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder that does not involve inflammation or tissue damage, and gluten intolerance is not a recognized medical diagnosis but may refer to non-celiac gluten sensitivity or wheat allergy.

Question 20

The bleeding and insufficient absorption of iron, folate, and vitamin B₁₂ commonly observed in patients with Crohn's disease can cause _____.

Accepted Answer

The bleeding and insufficient absorption of iron, folate, and vitamin B₁₂ commonly observed in patients with Crohn's disease can cause anemia, which is a condition characterized by low red blood cell count and causes fatigue and weakness.

Quiz 18: Fiber-Modified Diets for Lower Gastrointestinal Tract Disorders