A frail older patient has very dark stool. What should the nurse consider as a nutrition-related reason for this finding?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lack of vitamin K is a nutrition-related reason for dark stool. Vitamin K is necessary for the production of prothrombin, a clotting factor. Without adequate vitamin K, the blood cannot clot properly, and bleeding can occur. Dark stool is a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract.

A Frail Older Patient Has Very Dark Stool