A 3-Month-Old Boy Is Evaluated for Large-Volume Diarrhea and Failure

question 91

Multiple Choice

A 3-month-old boy is evaluated for large-volume diarrhea and failure to thrive.  The patient was born via spontaneous vaginal delivery at 38 weeks gestation.  His mother reports that the pregnancy was uncomplicated and there is no family history of gastrointestinal disease.  Physical examination shows mild abdominal distension, muscle wasting, and pitting edema.  Histochemical evaluation reveals absence of enteropeptidase activity in the proximal intestinal villi.  Activity of which of the following substances is most likely impaired in this patient?

• A)Amylase
• B)Bile salts
• C)Lactase
• D)Pepsin
• E)Secretin
• F)Trypsin

---

Definitions:

Monopolist

An entity or person that has exclusive control over the supply of a particular good or service in the market, potentially influencing prices and availability.

Greater Profits

Increased financial gains achieved by a business, indicating higher revenue over costs compared to a previous period or benchmark.

Discrimination

Unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex, impacting societal equality and opportunities.

Price-Discriminating Monopolist

A monopolist that charges different prices to different consumers for the same product, based on their willingness to pay, to maximize profits.