A 30-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a history of episodic abdominal cramps, bloating, and flatulence. Two months ago she three days of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and she recovered without ay medications. The patient's symptoms are worse after drinking "too much milk." She doesn't smoke or drink alcohole. Physical examination is unremarkable. Initial laboratory evaluation, including serum chemistries, blood counts, stool cultures, and studies for ova and parasites, is negative. Which of the following is most likely decreased in this patient?

Question

A 30-year-old woman comes to the physician because of a history of episodic abdominal cramps, bloating, and flatulence. Two months ago she three days of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and she recovered without ay medications.  The patient's symptoms are worse after drinking "too much milk."  She doesn't smoke or drink alcohole. Physical examination is unremarkable.  Initial laboratory evaluation, including serum chemistries, blood counts, stool cultures, and studies for ova and parasites, is negative.  Which of the following is most likely decreased in this patient?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Lactose intolerance presents with flatulence, crampy abdominal pain, and watery diarrhea after dairy product consumption.  It can be acquired by inflammatory/infectious conditions that injure the mucosal brush border of the small intestine where lactase is expressed.  Studies can show increased breath hydrogen content, reduced stool pH, and elevated stool osmolality.

A 30-Year-Old Woman Comes to the Physician Because of a History