04-07-2009, 09:53 AM
35. A 62-year-old woman comes to the physician because of bloating and cramping abdominal pain and intermittent diarrhea over the past 5 years. Her symptoms have increased over the past month since she started a new diet that emphasizes yogurt and cottage cheese as low-fat sources of calcium and protein. Vital signs are within normal limits. Abdominal examination shows diffuse tenderness to palpation with no rebound tenderness; there are no masses or organomegaly. Bowel sounds are increased. Test of the stool for occult blood is negative. Which of the following is the best explanation for this patient's diarrhea?
A
) Impaired intestinal motility
B
) Inflammatory process
C
) Malabsorption
D
) Secretory process
A
) Impaired intestinal motility
B
) Inflammatory process
C
) Malabsorption
D
) Secretory process