Question

A 60 year old female is seen by her physician for a routine annual checkup. Her only complaints are a lack of stamina and that she tires easily. An H&H was performed. She was sent home with instructions to collect 3 different stool samples for the detection of occult blood.

H&H results:

Hemoglobin: 9.8 g/dl                     reference range: 12-16 g/dl

Hematocrit: 36%                              reference range: 38% - 47%

Fecal Occult Blood Test

Specimen #1: positive

Specimen #2: positive

Specimen #3: positive

1. List any abnormal results:

2. Name at least 3 substances which can cause a false positive guaiac based fecal occult blood test.

3. List at least 4 conditions which could account for the occult blood test obtained.

Answer 1

Answer : 1) Patient has low haemoglobin level. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), hemoglobin level below 12g/dl is considered as anaemia. 2) Here, patient has low hematocrit. The low hematocrit level indicates anaemia . Some factors may give false test results in guaiac test, that is a) Avoid taking aspirin or other over -the -counter pain medications b) blood thinners are also affect the results c) if patient has some disease conditions such as peptic ulcer, haemorrhoids and gastritis , he has to avoid this test d) certain type of foods also provide false test results. Stool occult blood test is advised for many disease conditions such as bleeding from the rectum due to polyps b) hemorrhoids c) Diverticulosis d) Ulcers e) Colitis : type of inflammatory bowel disease .