Differential Diagnoses<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

The differential diagnoses in the assessment portion are Left lower quadrant pain and Gastroenteritis.\u00a0 I would reject the diagnosis of Left lower quadrant pain because this is a physical sign rather than a diagnosis. The left lower quadrant pain is a sign that suggests an underlying problem in an organ in the left lower quadrant, thus ruling it out as a differential diagnosis.\u00a0 I would accept Gastroenteritis as a differential diagnosis based on the patient\u2019s history of generalized abdominal pain, diarrhea, low-grade fever, and hyperactive bowel sounds.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Conditions that may be considered as differential diagnoses for this patient include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diverticulitis<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Diverticulitis is characterized by inflammation or infection of the diverticula, which are small pouches in the colonic wall (<\/span>Onur <\/span>et al<\/span><\/i>., 2017)<\/span>. Diverticulitis can either be complicated or uncomplicated. <\/span>Uncomplicated diverticulitis occurs without any associated complications. On the other hand, complicated diverticulitis occurs due to the formation of an abscess, fistula, bowel obstruction, or frank perforation (Swanson & Strate, 2018).\u202f The clinical manifestations of Diverticulitis include abdominal pain, which commonly occurs in the left lower quadrant <\/span>(<\/span>Onur <\/span>et al<\/span><\/i>., 2017). The abdominal pain can be constant or intermittent.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Abdominal pain is associated with a change in bowel patterns, which can either be diarrhea or constipation (Swanson & Strate, 2018).\u00a0 Fever is usually present in the case of an abscess or perforation. Other symptoms that present in diverticulitis include nausea, vomiting, flatulence, and abdominal bloating.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On physical examination, there is hypo-or hyperactive bowel sounds, tympanic abdomen on percussion, abdominal distension, and localized tenderness to palpation over the area of inflammation <\/span>(<\/span>Onur <\/span>et al<\/span><\/i>., 2017). A tender mass may be perceived if an abscess is present. Besides, patients can present with abdominal rigidity, guarding, or rebound tenderness with diverticular perforation.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Diverticulitis is a differential diagnosis based on the patient\u2019s history of abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, low-grade fever, hyperactive bowel sounds, and tenderness on the left lower quadrant.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
1. \n

   Acute Viral Gastroenteritis<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

   Acute Viral Gastroenteritis (GE) refers to infection of the gastrointestinal tract by viral pathogens such as Rotavirus and norovirus (<\/span>Desselberger, 2017)<\/span>. The primary manifestation of viral GE is diarrhea, which occurs as <\/span>loose or watery diarrhea consisting of 3 or more bowel movements in a day (Stuempfig & Seroy, 2019). Other symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain.\u00a0 The symptoms typically last for less than a week and usually improve within 1 to 3 days (Stuempfig & Seroy, 2019). The symptoms have a sudden onset and may vary from mild to severe. Patients commonly present with mild fever, mild abdominal pain, and mild, diffuse abdominal tenderness <\/span>(<\/span>Desselberger, 2017). Vomiting is present in most, but not all cases.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

   Acute Viral GE is a differential diagnosis based on pertinent positive findings of abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, low-grade fever, hyperactive bowel sounds, and abdominal tenderness.<\/span><\/p>\n