FECALYSIS (Stool Examination) Description: Also known as stool analysis or fecalysis A test done on a sample of stool (feces) Stool

ool analysis test results usually take at least 1 to 3 days.

Purpose: To help diagnose certain conditions affecting the digestive tract, including infection, poor absorption, or cancer. Complete stool analysis includes o Examination of the physical characteristics of the stool Color, consistency, shape, volume, and the presence of mucus, hidden (occult) blood, fat, meat fibers or undigested food, white blood cells (leukocytes), and sugars (called reducing substances). o Ph of the stool. o Identification of organisms (such as bacteria, virus or parasite) that may be causing an infection.

Stool collection: Adult Collect the specimen by passing feces into plastic wrap stretched loosely over the toilet bowl. A portion of the sample is then transferred into the supplied container; make sure it is without contamination of urine or toilet tissue. Do not take stool samples from the toilet bowl water. A stool test kit can also be used, in which it supplies a special toilet tissue that one can use to collect the sample. Young children and infants The diaper should be lined with plastic wrap. A urine bag can be attached to the child to ensure that the stool specimen is not contaminated with urine. Bedridden patient The specimen should be collected in a bedpan lined with plastic wrap, and the nurse can transfer a portion of the feces into the appropriate container. *Remember specimen must be sent for laboratory analysis immediately for not more than one hour. Nursess Role: Nursing personnel should instruct patient on the right collection of stool specimen.

Nursing personnel should consider the patient's diet and medications when assessing and documenting the character of a patient's stool.

Stool analysis Normal: The stool appears brown (varies from light brown-dark brown), soft, and wellformed in consistency. No blood, mucus, pus, bacteria, viruses, or parasites are present in the stool. The shape of the stool is tubular, reflecting its passage through the colon. Normal pH of stool is about 6. Less than 2 milligrams per gram (mg/g) of certain sugars called reducing factors are present in the stool. Abnormal: Increased volume of stool may indicate poor absorption of fats. Blood, mucus, pus, bacteria, viruses, or parasites are present in the stool. Low levels of certain enzymes (such as trypsin or elastase) may be present. Reducing factors levels between 2 and 5 mg/g are considered borderline. Levels greater than 5 mg/g are abnormal. Abnormal values may mean:

Parasites or eggs present in the stool indicate a parasitic infestation, such as, amebiasis High levels of fat in the stool may indicate chronic pancreatitis, crohn's disease, or cystic fibrosis. The presence of undigested meat fibers in the stool may indicate pancreatitis. An abnormal ph may indicate poor absorption of carbohydrates or fat. Low levels of certain enzymes (such as trypsin or elastase) may indicate digestive complications of cystic fibrosis or pancreatic insufficiency. The presence of blood in the stool indicates bleeding in the digestive tract. The presence of white blood cells in the stool may indicate bacterial diarrhea. A specific organism may be identified. Rotaviruses are a common cause of diarrhea in young children. If diarrhea is present, testing may be done to determine the presence of rotaviruses in the stool. High levels of reducing factors in the stool may indicate a problem digesting certain sugars (especially sucrase and lactase).