A 56-year-old man complains of diarrhea, nausea, and diffuse abdominal pain for 48 hours. Which diagnosis is most likely?

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Multiple Choice

A 56-year-old man complains of diarrhea, nausea, and diffuse abdominal pain for 48 hours. Which diagnosis is most likely?

Gastroenteritis best explains this presentation. When someone suddenly develops diarrhea with nausea and diffuse abdominal cramping over 1–2 days, the pattern is characteristic of an infectious or inflammatory process of the gut that affects the entire abdomen rather than a single area. The pain is typically diffuse and not localized to one quadrant, and vomiting with frequent loose stools is common. Diverticulitis would usually show focal tenderness in the left lower quadrant with fever and possible signs of localized inflammation, especially in someone with known diverticular disease. Appendicitis typically starts with periumbilical discomfort that sharpens and localizes to the right lower quadrant, often with anorexia and fever rather than prominent diarrhea. Cholecystitis presents with right upper quadrant or epigastric pain, often after fatty meals, with guarding and sometimes Murphy’s sign, and diarrhea is not the defining feature.

Gastroenteritis best explains this presentation. When someone suddenly develops diarrhea with nausea and diffuse abdominal cramping over 1–2 days, the pattern is characteristic of an infectious or inflammatory process of the gut that affects the entire abdomen rather than a single area. The pain is typically diffuse and not localized to one quadrant, and vomiting with frequent loose stools is common.

Diverticulitis would usually show focal tenderness in the left lower quadrant with fever and possible signs of localized inflammation, especially in someone with known diverticular disease. Appendicitis typically starts with periumbilical discomfort that sharpens and localizes to the right lower quadrant, often with anorexia and fever rather than prominent diarrhea. Cholecystitis presents with right upper quadrant or epigastric pain, often after fatty meals, with guarding and sometimes Murphy’s sign, and diarrhea is not the defining feature.

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