Which question is least likely to provide useful information for determining the cause of a patient's reported constipation?
a. "How long have you taken laxatives?"
b. "How much fluid do you drink in a day?"
c. "How much exercise do you typically get each day?"
d. "Do you have increased mucus and straining with your hard stools?"
D
The definition of constipation is the infrequent or difficult passage of stool. Constipation can be caused by chronic use of laxatives, lack of exercise, inadequate fluid intake, weak abdominal muscles, a low-fiber diet, drugs (narcotics, calcium channel blockers), ignoring the urge to defecate, rectocele, rectal prolapse, and stenosis. Information about increased mucus and straining is not useful for determining the cause of constipation because they are associated manifestations.
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A) True B) False
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