A Patient Who Has Had Four to Five Liquid Stools

question 4

Multiple Choice

A patient who has had four to five liquid stools per day for 4 days is seen by the primary care NP.The patient asks about medications to stop the diarrhea.The NP tells the patient that antidiarrheal medications are:

• A) not curative and may prolong the illness.
• B) useful in cases of acute infection with elevated temperature.
• C) most beneficial when symptoms persist longer than 2 weeks.
• D) useful when other symptoms, such as hematochezia, develop.

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Definitions:

Broad Valley

A wide and often flat trough between mountains or hills, typically having a river or stream running along it.

Braided Stream

A stream or river with an interconnecting network of branching and reuniting shallow channels.

Constant Flow

A steady, uniform rate of movement or supply.

Meander Scars

Erosional features left in the landscape by the remnants of ancient river meanders.