RUQ Abdominal Pain Treatment

A 50 yo woman presents with a 6-month history of intermittent RUQ abdominal pain, bloating and nausea, particularly after eating fatty food, describing the discomfort as sharp, occasionally radiating to the right shoulder, usually lasting around 45 mins, and accompanied by eructation. She is currently without distress, stating that, “I cut back on food that I know bothers my stomach. Physical exam reveals, BMI=35, no jaundice, mild RUQ abdominal tenderness and negative Murphy’s sign.

Which of the following is the next step in her care?

A. Provide a 1-month trial of proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy.

B. Refer to surgery for further evaluation.

C. Order a RUQ ab for abdominal ultrasound and hepatic enzymes.

D. Obtain serum H. pylori testing.

Visit fhea.com to learn more!