An 8-year-old boy is brought to your office with the complaint of abdominal pain. The pain is worse during the week and seems to be less prominent during the weekends. The patient’s growth and development are normal. He has one soft stool a day, and does not complain of painful defecation. The physical examination is unremarkable, with no masses, no rebound tenderness, and no guarding. Laboratory screening, including stool for occult blood, CBC, urinalysis, and chemistry panel yields normal results. Which of the following is the best next step in the care of this patient?
An 8-year-old boy is brought to your office with the complaint of abdominal pain. The pain is worse during the week and seems to be less prominent during the weekends. The patient’s growth and development are normal. He has one soft stool a day, and does not complain of painful defecation. The physical examination is unremarkable, with no masses, no rebound tenderness, and no guarding. Laboratory screening, including stool for occult blood, CBC, urinalysis, and chemistry panel yields normal results. Which of the following is the best next step in the care of this patient?
π‘ Explanation
**Core Concept**
The patient's symptoms suggest a functional gastrointestinal disorder, specifically a pattern consistent with abdominal pain associated with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), which are characterized by chronic or recurrent gastrointestinal symptoms without evidence of an underlying medical or surgical condition.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The patient's symptoms of abdominal pain that worsen during the week and improve during the weekends, along with normal growth and development, and absence of alarm features (e.g., weight loss, bleeding, anemia), are suggestive of a functional disorder. The absence of laboratory abnormalities and normal physical examination further support this diagnosis. A detailed history and physical examination are essential in identifying patients with functional disorders.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Ordering a colonoscopy or upper endoscopy would be premature without evidence of an underlying structural or inflammatory condition. These procedures are usually reserved for patients with alarm features or persistent symptoms despite initial evaluation.
**Option B:** Prescribing antibiotics or antifungal medications would be inappropriate without evidence of an infectious process. The normal laboratory results and lack of fever or other systemic symptoms make this option unlikely.
**Option C:** Performing an imaging study (e.g., ultrasound, CT scan) would be unnecessary without evidence of a structural or anatomical abnormality. The patient's normal physical examination and lack of alarm features make this option unnecessary.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Functional gastrointestinal disorders are common in children and adolescents, and a detailed history and physical examination are essential in their diagnosis and management.
**Correct Answer:** C.
β Correct Answer: D. Observe the patient and reassure the patient and family
π€ Share this MCQ
Share Card Preview
π 1080x1080 square card β fills the full width in WhatsApp and Telegram