The patient with pancreatitis asks the nurse, "Why are my stools so frothy and smell so bad?" The nurse's best response is which of the following?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Frothy, foul-smelling stools are a sign of malabsorption, which can occur in patients with pancreatitis due to the inadequate digestion of fats. This can result in an increase in the amount of fat in the stool, which causes it to be frothy and have a foul odor. Therefore, option B is correct. Option A is incorrect because although malnutrition can be a complication of pancreatitis, it does not directly cause frothy, foul-smelling stools. Option C is incorrect because peptic ulcer disease does not cause frothy, foul-smelling stools. Option D is incorrect because although diabetes mellitus can cause changes in stool consistency, it does not typically result in frothy, foul-smelling stools.

The Patient with Pancreatitis Asks the Nurse, "Why Are My