Question

Your brother has been suffering from mid epigastric pain and nausea for the past 2 months. You accompany him to his doctor. On physical examination he has no abnormal findings save some mild vague epigastric discomfort on abdominal palpation. On upper GI endoscopy a solitary sharply demarcated 2-cm shallow gastric antral ulcer is seen.

1. Which of the following laboratory test (s) are most likely to be present in this man? Why?

A Gastric achlorhydria

B Positive serology for antinuclear antibody

C Positive urea breath test

D Increased plasma cortisol

E Elevated serum gastrin

2. Explain the association of gastric ulcers and a particular bacterium.

Answer 1

The most likely laboratory test to be present in the man with a gastric ulcer is a positive urea breath test, indicating an infection with H. pylori. This bacterium is the primary pathogen associated with the development of gastric ulcers.

Step-by-step explanation:

Diagnosis and Association of Gastric Ulcers

The diagnosis of a gastric ulcer typically involves evaluating symptoms and the presence of H. pylori in the gastrointestinal tract. An upper GI endoscopy may be necessary for a confirmed diagnosis, as this allows the clinician to directly visualize the ulcer. The most appropriate lab test for the man described in the scenario would likely be C, a positive urea breath test, which indicates the presence of H. pylori infection. H. pylori is known to cause chronic gastritis, which can lead to the development of ulcers in the stomach lining. Regarding the second question, the bacterium primarily associated with gastric ulcers is H. pylori. This bacterium can survive the acidic environment of the stomach and is capable of damaging the protective lining of the stomach, leading to ulcer formation.