45-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 1-year history of episodic abdominal cramps, and loose stools. She has had a 4-kg (8-lb 12-oz) weight loss during this period despite no changes in appetite. Examination of the abdomen shows no abnormalities. The patient eats a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, meats, whole grains, and dairy products. Serum chemistry panel, complete blood count, and thyroid function tests are normal. Which of the following is the best next step for assessing for impaired nutrient absorption in this patient?

Question

45-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a 1-year history of episodic abdominal cramps, and loose stools. She has had a 4-kg (8-lb 12-oz) weight loss during this period despite no changes in appetite. Examination of the abdomen shows no abnormalities. The patient eats a balanced diet that includes a variety of fruits and vegetables, meats, whole grains, and dairy products. Serum chemistry panel, complete blood count, and thyroid function tests are normal.  Which of the following is the best next step for assessing for impaired nutrient absorption in this patient?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Malabsorption is a syndrome of impaired intestinal digestion and absorption.  Fats are typically the most severely affected macronutrient in generalized malabsorption, and testing the stool for fat (eg, with Sudan III stain) is the most sensitive strategy for screening for malabsorptive disorders.

45-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Physician Because of a 1-Year