A seven-year-old child has been seen in the pediatric clinic three times in the last two months for complaints of abdominal pain. On each occasion, the physical exam and all ordered lab work have been normal. The most important information to assess at this time would be:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that the child has been seen three times in two months with normal physical exam and lab work results suggests that there may be an underlying psychosocial issue. Asking about changes in school or home life may reveal stressors such as school-related anxieties or family issues that could be contributing to the child's recurrent abdominal pain.

A Seven-Year-Old Child Has Been Seen in the Pediatric Clinic