Which substance is NOT normally found in a patient's fecal matter?

In healthy individuals, protein is generally not a component of fecal matter in significant amounts. Feces primarily consists of indigestible material, including fiber, as well as water and various electrolytes that help maintain the balance of bodily fluids. The digestive process breaks down proteins, and they are usually fully absorbed in the small intestine. Therefore, under normal circumstances, very little unabsorbed protein should remain to be excreted in feces.

Fiber, which is a type of carbohydrate, adds bulk to the stool and aids in intestinal health, while water helps keep the feces soft, making them easier to pass. Electrolytes, such as sodium and potassium, are also found in fecal matter as they are part of the body's fluid and electrolyte balance, contributing to the physiological processes that occur in the intestines. Protein, however, is not intended to be present in feces in any substantial quantity when digestion is normal.