American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

Which condition is an example of impaired motility diarrhea?

1. Clostridium difficile infection

2. Postsurgery complications

3. Lymphatic obstruction

4. Celiac disease

The correct answer is: Postsurgery complications

Impaired motility diarrhea occurs when the normal muscular contractions of the intestines are disrupted, leading to an alteration in the digestive process and reduced absorption of fluids and nutrients. This condition can arise from various factors, one of which is complications from surgery. When surgeries occur, especially those involving the gastrointestinal tract, they can lead to disturbances in normal bowel function. Postsurgery, motility can be affected due to factors such as inflammation, damage to nerves, or adhesions. As a result, the intestines may not move contents along as efficiently as they should, causing a type of diarrhea characterized by the rapid transit of stool through the bowel. In contrast, other choices do not primarily involve impaired motility as their main pathological feature. Clostridium difficile infection typically causes diarrhea due to the effect of toxins on the intestinal lining rather than alteration in movement. Lymphatic obstruction usually leads to malabsorption and can cause different types of diarrhea, but it doesn't specifically involve motility impairment of the intestines themselves. Celiac disease is an autoimmune condition triggered by gluten that primarily leads to villous atrophy and malabsorption rather than impaired motility directly. Therefore, the choice related to postsurgery complications accurately reflects the context of impaired motility diarrhea