A nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for a stool test for occult. The nurse understands the purpose of the test is to check the stool for which of the following substances?
A Bacteria
B Parasites
C Steatorrhea
D Blood
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The correct answer is D) Blood.
Explanation:
A stool test for occult blood is a diagnostic procedure used to detect hidden (occult) blood in the stool. This test is important because it can help identify gastrointestinal bleeding that might not be visible to the naked eye. The presence of occult blood can be an indicator of various underlying conditions, such as colorectal cancer, polyps, ulcers, or gastrointestinal tract inflammation.
Here’s a closer look at the purpose and process of the occult blood test:
- Purpose: The primary goal of the occult blood test is to identify small amounts of blood in the stool that are not visibly apparent. This is crucial because early detection of bleeding can lead to timely diagnosis and treatment of potentially serious conditions.
- Testing Methods: There are several methods to test for occult blood, including the guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) and the fecal immunochemical test (FIT). The gFOBT uses a chemical reaction to detect blood, while the FIT uses antibodies to identify human hemoglobin, which is a component of blood.
- Significance of Findings:
- Colorectal Cancer: One of the most critical uses of this test is in the screening for colorectal cancer. Blood in the stool can be an early sign of cancer or precancerous lesions in the colon.
- Other Conditions: The test may also help in diagnosing conditions like ulcers, diverticulosis, or inflammatory bowel diseases (e.g., Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).
- Procedure: The test typically involves collecting stool samples over several days. The samples are then analyzed in a laboratory for traces of blood. Depending on the results, further diagnostic procedures such as colonoscopy may be recommended to determine the source of the bleeding.
Why Other Options Are Not Correct:
- A) Bacteria: While stool tests can be used to detect bacterial infections, such as those causing diarrhea (e.g., Salmonella or E. coli), this is not the purpose of an occult blood test.
- B) Parasites: Stool tests can also check for parasitic infections (e.g., giardiasis), but this is different from an occult blood test.
- C) Steatorrhea: This term refers to the presence of excess fat in the stool, which indicates malabsorption disorders. It is assessed through a different type of stool analysis, not an occult blood test.
Overall, the stool occult blood test is a valuable tool in the early detection of gastrointestinal bleeding, which can be indicative of various serious conditions.