Question

A 79-year-old male resident of a long-term care facility has contracted clostridium difficile and is experiencing consequent diarrhea. auscultation of the man's abdomen indicates hyperactive bowel sounds. what process in the man's small intestine is most likely accompanying his current status? a. inflammation is accompanied by an increase in peristaltic movements of his small intestine. b. intestinal stasis brought on by infection is preventing his small intestine from sufficiently slowing the rate of motility. c. segmentation waves have become more frequent as a result of his infection. d. pathogenic microorganisms are causing dilation of his small intestine, increasing motility.

Answer 1

The answer would be: a. inflammation is accompanied by an increase in peristaltic movements of his small intestine.

The pathogen will attract the white blood cells that will induce inflammation in the intestine. Inflammation of the intestine will cause increased permeability and increased bowel movement, makes the food transit time reduced and lead to diarrhoea. This mechanism is beneficial since it can help the intestine to "flush out" pathogen of toxins that induce the inflammation.