A 56-year-old male complains of anorexia,changes in bowel habits,extreme fatigue,and unintentional weight loss.At times he is constipated and other times he has episodes of diarrhea.His physical examination is unremarkable.It is important for the clinician to recognize the importance of:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms of anorexia, changes in bowel habits, extreme fatigue, and unintentional weight loss can be indicative of several gastrointestinal diseases, including colon cancer. Therefore, the best choice for the clinician would be to order a colonoscopy to investigate any potential abnormalities in the colon. CBC with differential and stool culture and sensitivity could also be ordered to rule out other causes, but a colonoscopy would be the most appropriate diagnostic test for this patient's symptoms. Abdominal x-ray is unlikely to provide any useful information in this case.

A 56-Year-Old Male Complains of Anorexia,changes in Bowel Habits,extreme Fatigue,and