Friday, April 20, 2012

Question of the Week # 376

376)  A 56  year old Hispanic man with no significant past medical history presents to community health center with complaints of burning pain in his abdomen and bloating for the past 2 months. The pain is more is more in the epigastric area and is worse after eating and it is worse at night. He denies any chest pain or shortness of breath.  He takes over the counter antacids when the pain occurs and that seems to relieve the pain temporarily. He denies dysphagia, weightloss, nausea, vomiting, dark colored stools or rectal bleeding. There is no family history of gastric malignancy. He does not smoke or drink alcohol.   On examination, he is well-built. Abdominal examination does not reveal any tenderness or palpable masses. Stool guaiac is negative and complete blood count does not show any anemia. Which of the following  is the most appropriate next step?

A) H.Pylori antibodies

B) Trial of Proton Pump Inhibitors

C) Empiric therapy for H.Pylori

D) Ultrasound Gall Bladder

E) Endoscopy
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