A careful history of a female client with a chief complaint of intermittent diarrhea reveals that she also experiences bouts of constipation.She has no known allergies and experienced no unintentional weight loss.What is the most likely condition?

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The client's symptoms of intermittent diarrhea and constipation without unintentional weight loss or known allergies suggest a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a common digestive disorder that often presents with alternating episodes of both diarrhea and constipation, as well as abdominal pain and discomfort. Inflammatory bowel disease (A) and giardiasis (C) typically present with more severe symptoms and are less likely to have intermittently alternating diarrhea and constipation. Lactose intolerance (D) may cause symptoms of diarrhea, but not bouts of constipation.

A Careful History of a Female Client with a Chief