Question

A​ 56-year-old male patient informs you that he has gastric ulcers. He has had them for several​ months, but recently the pain has been steadily increasing. If the cause of the abdominal pain is the gastric​ ulcers, how would you expect the patient to describe the​ pain?

A.Stabbing pain that radiates into both legs
B.Achy pain occurring all throughout the abdomen
C.Burning pain located to the left upper quadrant
D.Sharp pain near the umbilicus that radiates to the right lower quadrant

Answer 1

A 56-year-old male patient with gastric ulcers is likely to describe the pain as a burning sensation located to the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, a characteristic symptom of gastric ulcers.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the cause of the abdominal pain is the gastric ulcers, the patient would likely describe the pain as a burning pain located in the left upper quadrant. This description aligns with the characteristic pain associated with gastric ulcers, which is often due to the irritation of the ulcerated tissue by the acidic gastric juice.

The pain from gastric ulcers is typically experienced in the upper abdomen, often on the left side, where the stomach is located. Healthcare providers usually refer to the four quadrants or nine regions of the abdomen to pinpoint the specific area of pain. In the case of gastric ulcers, the pain is not typically sharp or stabbing and does not usually radiate to the legs or right lower quadrant, as might be seen with other abdominal conditions.