Question

Karen comes to you very concerned. She says that she always has this feeling of fullness along with abdominal pain. She is almost always nauseous but has some diarrhea. She is always sweating and feels flush and light-headed. In addition, she has these rapid emptying of her colon...explosive diarrhea. During her check-in, you notice that her heartbeat is rapid. You think you know what it is.

Answer 1

Karen's symptoms suggest gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a viral infection. It is important for her to stay hydrated and seek medical attention if her symptoms worsen.

Step-by-step explanation:

Karen's symptoms, including feeling of fullness, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, rapid heart rate, and weight loss, suggest a condition called gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines that can be caused by a viral or bacterial infection. In this case, it is likely caused by a viral infection, as it is described as a sudden onset and lasts for a short duration.

The symptoms of gastroenteritis are caused by the inflammation of the gastrointestinal lining, which affects the normal digestion and absorption of food. This leads to symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. The rapid heartbeat may be a result of dehydration due to excessive fluid loss through diarrhea.

To manage gastroenteritis, it is important for Karen to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding solid foods until her symptoms improve. If her symptoms worsen or persist, it is recommended to seek medical attention.