A 50-year-old male reports episodes of frequently recurring crampy abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stools. A possible diagnosis would be:
a. ulcerative colitis.
b. hiatal hernia.
c. pyloric obstruction.
d. achalasia.
ANS: A
Ulcerative colitis is characterized by abdominal pain, fever, elevated pulse rate, frequent diarrhea (10-20 stools/day), urgency, obviously bloody stools, and continuous, crampy pain. Hiatal hernia is most often asymptomatic and would not be manifested by abdominal pain. Pyloric obstruction would be manifested by forceful or projectile vomiting. Achalasia would be manifested by dif-ficulty or uncomfortable swallowing.
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