You are assessing a patient who has chronic complaints of diarrhea alternating with periods of constipation. As a nurse, you know that the primary function of the large intestine is:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The primary function of the large intestine is the absorption of water and electrolytes. This process helps to form solid waste from the chyme that enters from the small intestine. The large intestine does not produce digestive enzymes or play a significant role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, which mainly occurs in the small intestine. Propulsion of chyme is a function shared by various parts of the gastrointestinal tract, but it is not the primary function of the large intestine.

You Are Assessing a Patient Who Has Chronic Complaints of Diarrhea