American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What is one symptom commonly associated with diarrhea due to motility impairment?

1. Watery stools

2. Bloating

3. Malodorous stools

4. Fatty stools

The correct answer is: Bloating

Bloating is a symptom commonly associated with diarrhea due to motility impairment, as it reflects a dysfunction in how the intestines are processing and moving food. In motility disorders, the normal wave-like contractions of the intestines may be disrupted, leading to both delayed and rapid transit times of stool. This altered motility can result in an accumulation of gas, leading to the sensation of bloating. While watery stools can occur with diarrhea, they are more typically associated with infections or osmotic causes rather than purely motility issues. Malodorous stools can indicate underlying malabsorption or infection, and fatty stools are characteristic of conditions like pancreatitis or certain malabsorption syndromes, rather than directly resulting from motility impairments. Thus, the associated symptom of bloating effectively encapsulates the gastrointestinal disturbance stemming from motility issues in the context of diarrhea.