Author Question: Which of the following conditions is the most common cause of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea? A. ... (Read 124 times)

APUS57 · **on:** Jun 25, 2018

Which of the following conditions is the most common cause of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea?

A. Viral gastroenteritis
B. Staphylococcal food poisoning
C. Acute hepatitis A
D. E.coli gastroenteritis

Question 2

A patient presents to the emergency department with complaints of vomiting and abdominal pain. You note that the emesis contains bile.

On physical examination, there is diffuse tenderness, abdominal distension, and rushing, high-pitched bowel sounds. Which of the following diagnoses would be most likely?
A. Gastric outlet obstruction
B. Small bowel obstruction
C. Distal intestinal blockage
D. Colonic obstruction

nanny · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 25, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Viral gastroenteritis is the most common cause of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. At least 50 of cases of gastroenteritis as foodborne illness are due to norovirus. Another 20 of cases, and the majority of severe cases in children, are due to rotavirus. Other significant viral agents include adenovirus and astrovirus.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: B
The contents of the vomitus commonly vary according to the level of obstruction. Gastric outlet obstruction is associated with emesis containing undigested food. Proximal small intestinal blockage is likely to be bile-stained. Distal intestinal blockage is more likely to contain fecal matter. The degree of cramping and pain is often related to the proximity of the obstruction, so that obstructions of the lower intestines may have less severe cramping, vomiting, and/or pain. Bowel sounds often are high pitched and metallic sounding but may later become absent. Tenderness may be localized or diffuse. Distention as well as a succussion splash may be present.