Upon physical examination, the nurse detects abdominal tenderness, increased bowel sounds accompanied by signs of borborygmi, abdominal distension, and tympany on percussion. Which diagnostic test will confirm Crohn’s disease in the client?
A.
an exam used to detect and help your doctor view the inside of your body without having to make an incision or invasion. This can help them diagnose, monitor, and treat many medical conditions
B.
an exam used to detect and help your doctor look for a range of disorders and conditions, screen for diseases and adjust treatments, measures and counts your blood cells.
C.
an exam used to detect and help your doctor view changes or abnormalities in the large intestine and rectum.
D.
an exam used to detect and help your doctor view for things cannot be seen with the naked eye, including red blood cells, white blood cells (or pus cells), bacteria (germs), or crystals.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is:
C. An exam used to detect and help your doctor view changes or abnormalities in the large intestine and rectum.
Explanation:
Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, but it most commonly impacts the terminal ileum and the beginning of the colon. The symptoms described—abdominal tenderness, increased bowel sounds with borborygmi (rumbling noises), abdominal distension, and tympany (a drum-like sound on percussion)—are indicative of bowel inflammation, which is characteristic of Crohn’s disease.
Diagnostic Tests for Crohn’s Disease:
- Colonoscopy (Option C): This is the primary diagnostic test for Crohn’s disease when the disease affects the colon. A colonoscopy allows direct visualization of the mucosal lining of the large intestine and rectum. It helps in identifying characteristic lesions of Crohn’s disease, such as aphthous ulcers, cobblestone appearance, and strictures. During this procedure, biopsies can also be taken to examine tissue samples for histological confirmation of Crohn’s disease.
- Blood Tests (Option B): While blood tests are important for diagnosing and managing Crohn’s disease, they are not diagnostic on their own. They can indicate inflammation or anemia, which may support the diagnosis but cannot confirm it. They measure things like white blood cell count, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), which can be elevated in inflammatory conditions.
- Ultrasound/CT Scan/MRI (Part of Option A): Imaging studies such as abdominal ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI can be used to visualize inflammation, complications, and bowel obstruction. However, they are usually supplementary to endoscopic evaluations and are not used as the primary diagnostic tool.
- Microscopic Examination (Option D): While not specifically a diagnostic test for Crohn’s disease, microscopic examination of stool or biopsies can help in identifying pathogens or inflammatory cells, but it does not provide a complete picture of the disease as effectively as a colonoscopy.
In summary, colonoscopy (Option C) is the most definitive diagnostic test for Crohn’s disease as it allows direct observation and biopsy of the affected areas within the large intestine and rectum.