After learning that a patient has abdominal pain that occurs at least 3 days per month over the last 3 months, the nurse suspects that a patient is experiencing irritable bowel syndrome. What findings did the nurse use to make this clinical decision?

Question

Select all that apply.

1. abdominal pain that is relieved by eating
2. abdominal pain that improves with defecation
3. abdominal pain that is associated with a change in stool form
4. abdominal pain that is associated with a change in bowel frequency
5. abdominal pain that improves with physical activity and limiting food intake

Answer 1

Correct Answer: 2, 3, 4
Irritable bowel syndrome is diagnosed based on the presence of abdominal pain or discomfort at least 3 days per month in the past 3 months that has at least two of the following characteristics: (1) improved with defecation, (2) associated with a change in frequency of elimination, (3) or associated with a change in stool form. Abdominal pain that is relieved by eating is not a characteristic of irritable bowel syndrome. Abdominal pain that improves with physical activity and limiting food intake is not characteristic of irritable bowel syndrome.