Question

A recently widowed patient tells the health care provider, I have so much epigastric discomfort. I wonder if I have an ulcer. Diagnostic tests are negative. The symptom demonstrates:

a. early reorganization behavior
b. disorganization and depression
c. preoccupation with the deceased
d. normal phenomenon of mourning

Answer 1

The epigastric discomfort described by the recently widowed patient, with no diagnostic evidence of an ulcer, likely represents a normal phenomenon of mourning, which can commonly manifest as physical symptoms, including those similar to digestive issues.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient's complaint of epigastric discomfort and concern about having an ulcer, despite diagnostic tests returning negative, is most likely a normal phenomenon of mourning. Physical symptoms such as indigestion can often manifest during the grieving process, which could be mistaken for other medical conditions such as a peptic ulcer. The discomfort might be due to various factors including stress and anxiety associated with the loss. Gastrointestinal symptoms are common during distressing periods and could arise from the psychological impact of grief. Elizabeth Küber-Ross's five stages of grief include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance, and the patient's experience can be a part of these complex emotional and psychological responses to bereavement.