Question

A 63-year-old female is brought to the emergency room for severe abdominal pain for the past 1 day. She reports that the pain is 9/10, dull, with intermittent exacerbations concentrated at the left lower quadrant (LLQ). She endorses low-grade fever, nausea, and vomiting for the past couple of hours. Her past medical history includes hypertension, constipation, and diverticulosis. A physical examination demonstrates abdominal tenderness and some diffuse voluntary guarding. What is the diagnosis?

Answer 1

A 63-year-old female's symptoms and medical history suggest that she is most likely suffering from diverticulitis, characterized by the infection and inflammation of the diverticula in the colon.

Step-by-step explanation:

The clinical presentation of severe abdominal pain focused on the left lower quadrant (LLQ), accompanied by low-grade fever, nausea, and vomiting suggests a diagnosis of diverticulitis. This condition is an inflammation or infection of the diverticula in the colon. The patient's history of diverticulosis, characterized by the presence of diverticula, increases the likelihood of this being the cause of her symptoms.

Other possible diagnoses such as appendicitis, urinary tract infection, or pelvic inflammatory disease typically present with additional symptoms not observed in this scenario. Given the patient's age and history, as well as the location of pain and associated symptoms, diverticulitis is the most probable diagnosis.

A 63-year-old female with a history of constipation and diverticulosis presents with severe LLQ abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting, indicating a diagnosis of diverticulitis. This inflammatory condition is supported by the patient's age, symptoms, and medical history.