Why will a patient who undergoes ileal restriction due to severe Crohn's disease experience steatorrhea?

A patient who undergoes ileal restriction as a result of severe Crohn's disease will experience steatorrhea primarily due to the inability to effectively form micelles in the intestinal lumen. The ileum is crucial for the absorption of bile acids and various nutrients, particularly fats.

When the ileum is compromised, as it is during ileal restriction, there is a reduction in the reabsorption of bile salts that are critical for the emulsification and absorption of dietary fats. In a healthy digestive process, dietary fats are emulsified by bile salts, allowing for the formation of micelles, which transport lipids to the intestinal mucosa for absorption. However, if the ileum is restricted, there is inadequate absorption of bile salts. Consequently, fewer bile salts are available to create micelles in the intestinal lumen, leading to malabsorption of fats and the characteristic fatty stools known as steatorrhea.

The other options, while related to digestive processes, do not directly address the primary issue caused by ileal restriction. Insufficient bile production typically relates to liver function rather than ileal integrity, poor pancreatic enzyme secretion pertains to conditions affecting pancreatic health, and defective bile salts reabsorption is a consequence of the underlying issue rather than a