Question

The nurse practitioner is evaluating a 34-year-old male who reports a 3-month history of epigastric pain that he describes as intermittent, burning, and improves with eating then returns 2-3 hours after meals. The leading diagnosis is:

a) Cholecystitis.
b) Gastritis.
c) Esophageal reflux.
d) Duodenal ulcer.

Answer 1

The symptoms described by the patient are indicative of a duodenal ulcer, which is characterized by epigastric pain that improves with eating and generally fits the timing and nature of the reported discomfort.

Step-by-step explanation:

The leading diagnosis for a 34-year-old male reporting a 3-month history of intermittent, burning epigastric pain that improves with eating and returns 2-3 hours after meals is likely to be a duodenal ulcer.

This diagnosis is suggested by the characteristic symptom of pain that improves with food intake, as food can buffer the stomach acid and protect the duodenal area, which is where this type of ulcer typically occurs. A duodenal ulcer is a sore in the lining of the duodenum and is often associated with a bacterial infection that can cause such symptoms. The condition's typical features, such as the timing of pain in relation to meals and its nature, closely fit the reported symptoms of the patient.