A fecal smear can be stained for fat. An increased amount of fat is indicative of:

A fecal smear can be stained for fat. An increased amount of fat is indicative of:

• A. Dyschezia
• B. Dysentery
• C. Steatorrhea
• D. Tenesmus

Answer: (C)

When fecal fat is increased on a smear, the result points to steatorrhea. This means fat malabsorption is occurring—fat isn’t being digested or absorbed properly, often due to pancreatic enzyme deficiency, bile salt deficiency, or diseases that damage the intestinal lining. Clinically, steatorrhea tends to produce bulky, pale, foul-smelling, oily stools. The other terms refer to problems with stool passage or inflammation rather than fat content in the stool: difficulty with defecation, infection-related blood and mucus, or a persistent urge to defecate.

When fecal fat is increased on a smear, the result points to steatorrhea. This means fat malabsorption is occurring—fat isn’t being digested or absorbed properly, often due to pancreatic enzyme deficiency, bile salt deficiency, or diseases that damage the intestinal lining. Clinically, steatorrhea tends to produce bulky, pale, foul-smelling, oily stools. The other terms refer to problems with stool passage or inflammation rather than fat content in the stool: difficulty with defecation, infection-related blood and mucus, or a persistent urge to defecate.