LABORATORY TESTS USED TO ASSESS LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL FUNCTION

TEST NORMAL FINDINGS ABNORMAL FINDINGS

COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT

4.2 – 5.4 millions/mm3 (women)

RBC 4.5 – 6.2 millions /mm3 (men)

Haemoglobin 12 – 16 g/dl (women) ↓ indicates anemia / hemorrhage

14 – 18 g/dl (men) ↑ indicate possible hemoconcentration

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 Negative (+) possible peptic ulcer, cancer of the colon,
Blood ulcerative colitis

Stool Negative (+) presence of amebiasis (E. histolytica)

Parasites
(+) presence of typhoid fever (S. typhi), dysentery
Stool cultures No unusual growth (Shigella), gastroenteritis (E. coli), food poisoning
(C. botulinum)

Stool for 2 – 6 g/ 24hrs ↑ steatorrhea, malabsorption or pancreatic

lipids insufficiency
Source: Medical Surgical Nursing 7th edition by Joyce M. Black

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