A 52-year-old male is in moderate distress and complaining of nausea and vomiting. He describes a three-day history of left upper quadrant abdominal pain described as sharp and radiating to his back. You note a slightly distended abdomen. He called EMS today when he developed nausea and vomiting. He denies any change of bowel habits and states he has a history of alcoholism. Of the following, which is the most likely cause of his clinical condition?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms of left upper quadrant pain radiating to the back, nausea, vomiting, and history of alcoholism all point to the most likely cause of pancreatitis. Hepatitis, peptic ulcer disease, and gastroenteritis may cause some similar symptoms, but the constellation of symptoms is most consistent with pancreatitis.

A 52-Year-Old Male Is in Moderate Distress and Complaining of Nausea