Posted: August 15th, 2022

Complaint of abdominal pain in the epigastric area

Complaint of abdominal pain in the epigastric area

A 65-year-old female comes to the clinic with a complaint of abdominal pain in the epigastric area. The pain has been persistent for two weeks. The pain described as burning, non-radiating and worse after meals. Denies N&V, weight loss or obvious bleeding. She admits to frequent belching with bloating.
PMH: seasonal allergies with Chronic Sinusitis, positive for osteoarthritis,
Meds: Claritin 10 mg po daily, ibuprofen 400-600 mg po prn pain
Family Hx-non contributary
Social history: Separated recently pending divorce; stressful situation with trying to manage two homes. Works as a Legal Assistant at a local law firm. She has 35 PPY of smoking, drinks 1-2 glasses of wine a day, and 6-7 cups of coffee per day. She denies illicit drug use, vaping or unprotected sexual encounters.
Breath test in the office revealed + urease.
The healthcare provider suspects the client has peptic ulcer disease.
Questions:
1. Explain what contributed to the development from this patient’s history of PUD?
2. What is the pathophysiology of PUD/ formation of peptic ulcers?

A 44-year-old morbidly obese female comes to the clinic complaining of “burning in my chest and a funny taste in my mouth”. The symptoms have been present for years but patient states she had been treating the symptoms with antacid tablets which helped until the last 4 or 5 weeks. She never saw a healthcare provider for that. She says the symptoms get worse at night when she is lying down and has had to sleep with 2 pillows. She says she has started coughing at night which has been interfering with her sleep. She denies palpitations, shortness of breath, or nausea. A 44-year-old woman who is morbidly obese goes to the clinic and says, “My chest is burning and I have a funny taste in my mouth.” The symptoms have been there for years, but the patient says she was treating them with antacid tablets, which helped until the last 4 or 5 weeks. She never went to a doctor or nurse for that. She says the symptoms are worse at night when she is lying down, so she has to sleep with two pillows. She says that she’s started coughing at night, which is keeping her from sleeping. She says she doesn’t have heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or nausea.
PMH-HTN, venous stasis ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, osteoarthritis of knees, morbid obesity (BMI 48 kg/m2)
FH:non contributary
Medications: Lisinopril 10 mg po qd, Bentyl 10 mg po, ibuprofen 800 mg po q 6 hr prn
SH: 20 PPY of smoking, ETOH rarely, denies vaping
Diagnoses: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Question:
3. If the client asks what causes GERD how would you explain this as a provider?

Scenario 3: Upper GI Bleed
A 64-year-old male presents the clinic with complaints of passing dark, tarry, stools. He stated the first episode occurred last week, but it was only a small amount after he had eaten a dinner of beets and beef. The episode today was accompanied by nausea, sweating, and weakness. He states he has had some mid epigastric pain for several weeks and has been taking OTC antacids. The most likely diagnosis is upper GI bleed which won’t be confirmed until further endoscopic procedures are performed.
Question:
4. What are the variables here that contribute to an upper GI bleed?

Scenario 4: Diverticulitis
A 54-year-old schoolteacher is seeing your today for complaints of passing bright red blood when she had a bowel movement this morning. She stated the first episode occurred last week. The episode today was accompanied by nausea, sweating, and weakness. She states she has had some LLQ pain for several weeks but described it as “coming and going”. She says she has had a fever and abdominal cramps that have worsened this morning.
Diagnosis is lower GI bleed secondary to diverticulitis.
Question:
5. What can cause diverticulitis in the lower GI tract?

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