What characteristic of stool should the nurse expect to assess in a client with Crohn's disease?

In individuals with Crohn's disease, the stool characteristics often reflect the inflammatory nature of the condition and its impact on the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of loose, watery stool is common due to the inflammation and ulceration that occurs in the intestines, which can impair absorption and result in diarrhea. This condition can lead to an increased frequency of bowel movements, often with a softer consistency.

Blood in the stool may occur but is not a defining characteristic for all patients with Crohn's disease, as it can depend on the extent of intestinal damage and bleeding. Chalky gray stool is more typical of conditions related to bile duct obstruction or liver dysfunction, which are not directly associated with Crohn's disease. Dry, hard, constipated stool generally suggests a lack of adequate water in the intestines, often seen in conditions leading to bowel obstruction or insufficient dietary fiber, which is not aligned with the typical presentation of Crohn's disease.

Thus, loose, watery stool effectively represents the bowel changes associated with this inflammatory bowel disease, making it the expected finding in a client with Crohn's disease.