In hypochlorhydria, which finding may be observed in the stool?

In hypochlorhydria, which finding may be observed in the stool?

• A. Undigested food
• B. Blood
• C. Mucus
• D. Normal stool

Answer: (A)

Low stomach acid slows the breakdown of food in the stomach because acid helps denature proteins and activate digestive enzymes like pepsin. When acidity is low, proteins aren’t digested as efficiently, so larger food fragments can pass into the intestines and appear in the stool as undigested food. Blood or mucus would point toward irritation or inflammation of the GI tract rather than a direct effect of hypochlorhydria, and normal stool would not reflect impaired digestion.

Low stomach acid slows the breakdown of food in the stomach because acid helps denature proteins and activate digestive enzymes like pepsin. When acidity is low, proteins aren’t digested as efficiently, so larger food fragments can pass into the intestines and appear in the stool as undigested food. Blood or mucus would point toward irritation or inflammation of the GI tract rather than a direct effect of hypochlorhydria, and normal stool would not reflect impaired digestion.