A patient on tube feeding who develops diarrhea is most likely experiencing which type of diarrhea according to the discussed material?

A patient on tube feeding who develops diarrhea is most likely experiencing which type of diarrhea according to the discussed material?

• A. Osmotic diarrhea
• B. Absorptive diarrhea due to villi atrophy
• C. Secretory diarrhea
• D. Motility diarrhea

Answer: (B)

The type being tested is absorptive (malabsorptive) diarrhea caused by mucosal damage, such as villous atrophy. When the villi are damaged or lost, the surface area available for nutrient and fluid absorption is reduced. Nutrients remain in the intestinal lumen, where they exert an osmotic effect and pull water into the gut, producing large-volume, watery stools. This pattern fits a tube-feeding patient whose diarrhea reflects impaired absorption rather than excessive solute in the lumen or rapid intestinal transit. Osmotic diarrhea would come from poorly absorbed feed components drawing water into the lumen and typically improves when the feed is withheld. Secretory diarrhea involves active secretion and often persists despite fasting, usually due to toxins or hormones. Motility diarrhea results from rapid intestinal transit, with insufficient time for absorption.

The type being tested is absorptive (malabsorptive) diarrhea caused by mucosal damage, such as villous atrophy. When the villi are damaged or lost, the surface area available for nutrient and fluid absorption is reduced. Nutrients remain in the intestinal lumen, where they exert an osmotic effect and pull water into the gut, producing large-volume, watery stools. This pattern fits a tube-feeding patient whose diarrhea reflects impaired absorption rather than excessive solute in the lumen or rapid intestinal transit.

Osmotic diarrhea would come from poorly absorbed feed components drawing water into the lumen and typically improves when the feed is withheld. Secretory diarrhea involves active secretion and often persists despite fasting, usually due to toxins or hormones. Motility diarrhea results from rapid intestinal transit, with insufficient time for absorption.