Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 34

Microscopic examination of stools provides preliminary information as to the cause of diarrhea because:

A. Neutrophils are present in conditions caused by toxin-producing bacteria

B. Neutrophils are present in conditions that affect the intestinal wall

C. Red and white blood cells are present if the cause is bacterial

D. Neutrophils are present if the condition is of nonbacterial etiology

Step 1 of 2

Microscopic examination of feces:

To detect the leukocytes, microscopic examination is performed on feces to identity diarrhea.

• Leukocytes is primarily called neutrophils is viewed in the stool when conditions affecting the intestinal mucosa. The conditions are:

o Ulcerative colitis

o Bacterial dysentery

• Screening is initially performed to find the following bacterial pathogens, which causes diarrhea:

o Salmonella

o Yersinia

o Shigella

o Enteroinvasive E.coli

o Campylobacter

Therefore, microscopic examination determines the preliminary cause of diarrhea for the reason that “neutrophils are viewed in the stool when the intestinal wall is affected”. Hence, the correct answer is option.