Question

A patient is in the hospital for the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. The nurse finds the patient vomiting and complaining of a sudden severe pain in the abdomen. The nurse then assesses a board-like abdomen. What does the nurse suspect these symptoms indicate?

a. Perforation of the peptic ulcer
b. Gastrointestinal bleeding
c. Acute pancreatitis
d. Gallbladder inflammation

Answer 1

Sudden, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and board-like abdomen in a patient with peptic ulcer disease suggests a perforation of the peptic ulcer. The condition, known as peritonitis, is life-threatening and requires immediate medical intervention including emergency surgery.

Step-by-step explanation:

A patient with a history of peptic ulcer disease presenting with sudden, severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and a board-like abdomen is highly suggestive of a perforation of the peptic ulcer. This condition allows digestive enzymes and gastric acid to leak into the peritoneal cavity, a serious situation called peritonitis. The classic board-like rigidity of the abdomen combined with the patient's known ulcer history and acute presentation strongly indicates this diagnosis over other conditions like gastrointestinal bleeding, acute pancreatitis, or gallbladder inflammation.

Peritonitis is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency surgery to repair the damage and likely prescription of antibiotics. If untreated, the mortality rate from peritonitis can be quite high, ranging from 30 to 40 percent. Given these symptoms, the nurse should suspect a perforated ulcer and act quickly to ensure the patient receives the necessary medical attention.