Author Question: During a pain assessment, a client reports stomach pain that feels like gnawing in the upper abdomen ... (Read 46 times)

justinmsk · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

During a pain assessment, a client reports stomach pain that feels like gnawing in the upper abdomen that occurs about 1-1/2 hours after eating meals. The nurse identifies these symptoms to be most consistent with:

1. a duodenal ulcer.
2. acute appendicitis.
3. an exacerbation of diverticulitis.
4. cholelithiasis.

Question 2

A client new to the clinic reports having peptic ulcer disease and a weight loss of 14 pounds in 2 months. The symptom of weight loss would be most consistent with:

1. a duodenal ulcer.
2. a gastric ulcer.
3. frequent exercise.
4. anorexia nervosa.

Melissahxx · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale 1: The characteristic symptom of a duodenal ulcer is a gnawing or burning, upper abdominal pain that occurs 13 hours after a meal. The pain is worse when the stomach is empty and often disappears with ingestion of food.
Rationale 2: The pain associated with acute appendicitis is localized in the right lower quadrant.
Rationale 3: The pain associated with diverticulitis is localized in the left lower quadrant.
Rationale 4: The pain of cholelithiasis, otherwise known as gallstones, is described as epigastric. Ingestion of fatty foods makes this pain worse.
Global Rationale: The characteristic symptom of a duodenal ulcer is a gnawing or burning, upper abdominal pain that occurs 13 hours after a meal. The pain is worse when the stomach is empty and often disappears with ingestion of food. The pain associated with acute appendicitis is localized in the right lower quadrant. The pain associated with diverticulitis is localized in the left lower quadrant. The pain of cholelithiasis, otherwise known as gallstones, is described as epigastric. Ingestion of fatty foods makes this pain worse.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Weight gain, not loss, would be more consistent with a duodenal ulcer.
Rationale 2: Anorexia, weight loss, and vomiting are more common with gastric ulcers.
Rationale 3: This client is not reporting frequent exercise.
Rationale 4: This client is complaining of peptic ulcer disease, which is likely the cause of weight loss.
Global Rationale: Anorexia and weight loss are more common with gastric ulcers than with duodenal ulcers. The client does not report frequent exercise and presents with reports of a peptic ulcer history.