8/14/2019 Lower GI Labs

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LABORATORY TESTS USED TO ASSESS LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL FUNCTION

TEST NORMAL FINDINGS ABNORMAL FINDINGS

COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT

RBC

4.2 5.4 millions/mm3

(women)

4.5 6.2 millions /mm3 (men)

indicates anemia / hemorrhage

indicate possible hemoconcentration

Haemoglobin 12 16 g/dl (women)

14 18 g/dl (men)

Hematocrit 38% - 46% (women)

42% - 54% (men)

ELECTROLYTES

Potassium 3.5 5.0 mEq/L indicates possible GI suction, diarrhea,

vomiting, intestinal fistulas

Calcium 8.0 -10.5 mEq/L indicates possible malabsorption

Sodium 135 -145 mEq/L indicates possible malabsorption and diarrhea

FECALYSIS

Stool Occult

BloodNegative (+) possible peptic ulcer, cancer of the colon,

ulcerative colitis

Stool

ParasitesNegative (+) presence of amebiasis (E. histolytica)

Stool cultures No unusual growth

(+) presence of typhoid fever (S. typhi), dysentery

(Shigella), gastroenteritis (E. coli), food poisoning

(C. botulinum)

Stool for

lipids2 6 g/ 24hrs steatorrhea, malabsorption or pancreatic

insufficiencySource: Medical Surgical Nursing 7th edition by Joyce M. Black

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