A 20-year-old Caucasian woman presents with abdominal pain, anemia, and fatigue. The client notes these symptoms occur after eating pasta and bread. The client also has a history of infertility, rheumatoid arthritis, and gastric ulcers. Preliminary laboratory results indicate that the client is also anemic. Which condition does a nurse suspect?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms of abdominal pain, anemia, and fatigue after eating foods containing gluten (pasta and bread), along with a history of infertility, rheumatoid arthritis, and gastric ulcers, are indicative of Celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine.

A 20-Year-Old Caucasian Woman Presents with Abdominal Pain, Anemia, and Fatigue