Final answer:
The most common presentation of a perforated peptic ulcer is an abrupt onset of severe abdominal pain followed by peritoneal signs, necessitating emergency surgery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most common presentation of a perforated peptic ulcer is C) Abrupt onset of severe abdominal pain followed rapidly by peritoneal signs. Perforated ulcers lead to the leakage of stomach or duodenal contents, including digestive enzymes and gastric acid, into the abdominal cavity, causing acute peritonitis. This condition is very serious and is manifested by sudden, intense abdominal pain, rigid abdominal muscles, fever, nausea, and vomiting. In such cases, emergency surgery is often required to repair the perforation and treat the ensuing peritonitis.
Early symptoms of a peptic ulcer might include abdominal discomfort, belching, and bloating, but the transition to a perforated ulcer and its resultant severe abdominal pain is rapid. In addition to surgery, H. pylori-related peptic ulcers are generally treated with a combination of antibiotics and medications to decrease stomach acid. The prevalence of H. pylori resistance to antibiotics can sometimes make this treatment less effective, necessitating increased vigilance and alternative treatment strategies.