University of Central Florida (UCF) ZOO3733C Human Anatomy Practice Test 4

Dumping syndrome occurs when food, especially sugar, moves too quickly from the stomach into the small intestine. This rapid transition can lead to a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms due to the sudden influx of food into the intestines, which can cause excessive fluid shift and rapid fermentation of food by bacteria.

The most common symptoms associated with dumping syndrome include gas, discomfort, and diarrhea. As food enters the small intestine rapidly, it can cause an osmotic effect that draws fluid into the intestinal lumen, leading to diarrhea. Additionally, the speed and composition of the food can result in gas and abdominal discomfort as the body struggles to process the food efficiently.

In contrast, other options like constipation, abdominal cramps only, or nausea and fatigue, do not encompass the full spectrum of symptoms typically seen in cases of dumping syndrome, where the rapid gastric emptying primarily triggers gastrointestinal upset such as gas, discomfort, and diarrhea. This collection of symptoms is characteristic of the physiological reactions following a meal in individuals with this condition.