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

Exercise 50

A stool specimen collected from an infant with diarrhea has a pH of 5.0. This result correlates with a:

A. Positive APT test

B. Negative trypsin test

C. Positive Clinitest

D. Negative occult blood test

Step 1 of 2

Carbohydrates in feces:

When the intestine is unable to reabsorb the carbohydrates or when there is a lack of digestive enzymes lactose, it results in lactose intolerance then carbohydrates are released in the feces.

• In infant diarrhea, carbohydrate test in feces is performed. It is associated with pH determinations

• Generally, the pH of stool is between 7 and 8

• Elevated use of carbohydrates in fermentation process of intestinal bacteria increases the lactic acid level thereby lowering the pH to 5.5, which is related with carbohydrate disorders

Clinitest:

• Increased carbohydrate concentrations are detected by copper reduction test

• Copper reduction test is usually performed with clinitest tablets

• Result of 0.5 g/dL (grams per deciliter) signifies carbohydrate intolerance

• Clinitest procedure discriminates the cause of diarrhea

Therefore, when specimen collected from infant with diarrhea and pH level 5.0, it correlates with “positive Clinitest”. Hence, the correct answer is option.