RN Exam Practice
Physiological AdaptationQuestion 1222 of 2368

Why is functional constipation called a diagnosis of exclusion?

  1. Other disease processes must be ruled out as the cause.
  2. It is only found by an imaging study of the colon.
  3. It is diagnosed only after a stool culture is positive.
  4. It is confirmed by a single blood test.
Show answer

Correct answer: Other disease processes must be ruled out as the cause.

Functional constipation is diagnosed after other causes have been ruled out. Rome IV criteria help guide the diagnosis.

Source: Nursing Health Promotion (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2025), Other Childhood Disorders: Assessment (Recognize Cues). Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Physiological Adaptation"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026