A 62-year-old man presents to the emergency department with acute pain in the left lower abdomen and profuse rectal bleeding. These symptoms started 3 hours ago. The patient has chronic constipation and bloating, for which he takes lactulose. His family history is negative for gastrointestinal disorders. His temperature is 38.2°C (100.8°F), blood pressure is 90/60 mm Hg, and pulse is 110/min. On physical examination, the patient appears drowsy, and there is tenderness with guarding in the left lower abdominal quadrant. Flexible sigmoidoscopy shows multiple, scattered diverticula with acute mucosal inflammation in the sigmoid colon. Which of the following is the best initial treatment for this patient?
AElective colectomy
BDietary modification and antibiotics
CVolume replacement, analgesia, intravenous antibiotics, and endoscopic hemostasis
DVolume replacement, analgesia, intravenous antibiotics, and surgical hemostasis
EReassurance and no treatment is required
A 46-year-old woman comes to the emergency department because of intermittent abdominal pain and vomiting for 2 days. The abdominal pain is colicky and diffuse. The patient's last bowel movement was 3 days ago. She has had multiple episodes of upper abdominal pain that radiates to her scapulae and vomiting over the past 3 months; her symptoms subsided after taking ibuprofen. She has coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and osteoarthritis of both knees. Current medications include aspirin, atorvastatin, rabeprazole, insulin, and ibuprofen. She appears uncomfortable. Her temperature is 39°C (102.2°F), pulse is 111/min, and blood pressure is 108/68 mm Hg. Examination shows dry mucous membranes. The abdomen is distended and tympanitic with diffuse tenderness; bowel sounds are high-pitched. Rectal examination shows a collapsed rectum. Her hemoglobin concentration is 13.8 g/dL, leukocyte count is 14,400/mm3, and platelet count is 312,000/mm3. An x-ray of the abdomen is shown. Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's findings?
ACecal torsion
BViscus perforation
CColonic diverticular inflammation
DCholecystoenteric fistula
EBowel infarction
A 75-year-old man presents to the emergency department for abdominal pain. The patient states the pain started this morning and has been worsening steadily. He decided to come to the emergency department when he began vomiting. The patient has a past medical history of obesity, diabetes, alcohol abuse, and hypertension. His current medications include captopril, insulin, metformin, sodium docusate, and ibuprofen. His temperature is 104.0°F (40°C), blood pressure is 160/97 mmHg, pulse is 90/min, respirations are 15/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. Abdominal exam reveals left lower quadrant tenderness. Cardiac exam reveals a crescendo systolic murmur heard best by the right upper sternal border. Lab values are ordered and return as below. Hemoglobin: 15 g/dL Hematocrit: 42% Leukocyte count: 19,500 cells/mm^3 with normal differential Platelet count: 226,000/mm^3 Serum: Na+: 139 mEq/L Cl-: 101 mEq/L K+: 4.4 mEq/L HCO3-: 24 mEq/L BUN: 22 mg/dL Glucose: 144 mg/dL Creatinine: 1.2 mg/dL Ca2+: 9.8 mg/dL Which of the following is the most accurate test for this patient's condition?
AColonoscopy
BSigmoidoscopy
CAmylase and lipase levels
DBarium enema
ECT scan
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