A 16-year-old girl is seen in the emergency department with intermittent episodes of loose stools and recurrent dull, crampy abdominal pain felt at the periumbilical area. Based on the assessment, what disorder is most likely?

Explanation

•Irritable bowel syndrome causes either intermittent episodes of loose and normal stools or recurrent abdominal pain.

•Irritable bowel syndrome or chronic nonspecific diarrhea appears slightly more often in girls than in boys. The cause is unknown , but it is associated with low fat intake (without fat slowing absorption, stool passes rapidly through the bowel). Excessive fluid intake also may play a role. The episodes of diarrhea may occur several times a week, or as frequently as twice a day.

•Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. Typically the symptoms include RLQ pain, then vomiting, and lastly fever.

•Peptic ulcer will lead to symptoms of pain, blood in stools and vomiting.

•Children with Crohn’s disease develop severe diarrhea with intermittent blood.

Visit our website for other NCLEX topics now!