A person tells the nurse that his bowel movements are 'weird' in that they look 'soapy' and 'smell really bad.' What might this person be experiencing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The description of "soapy" and "bad smell" suggest that the person may be experiencing steatorrhoea. This is a condition in which there is an excess amount of fat in the stools, leading to a pale, greasy, foul-smelling appearance. It can be caused by malabsorption due to digestive issues or pancreatic insufficiency. Turner's sign and Cullen's sign are physical signs related to bleeding and are unlikely to be related to bowel movements. Diarrhoea may have a similar appearance but the presence of excess fat is what differentiates steatorrhoea.

A Person Tells the Nurse That His Bowel Movements Are