The patient with pancreatitis asks the nurse, “Why are my stools so frothy and s

2 -- Steatorrhea is fatty, frothy, smelly stools associated with pancreatitis that is caused by a lack of pancreatic enzymes in the gastric lumen. Because of absence of enzymes, fat in the GI tract is not absorbed properly and a greater than normal amount of fat is excreted in the stool, causing the symptoms of steatorrhea. Pancreatitis can lead to malnutrition, but steatorrhea is not a sign of malnutrition. This statement is inaccurate. Peptic ulcer disease can be related to pancreatitis, but it is not related to steatorrhea. Diabetes mellitus causes increased urine production, and could be the result of pancreatitis, but does not affect stool characteristics.