Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Which condition is suspected in a 14-year-old with bloating, weight gain difficulties, and symptoms aggravating after eating gluten?

1. Amebiasis

2. Malabsorption

3. Crohn's colitis

4. Celiac disease

The correct answer is: Celiac disease

The symptoms described—a 14-year-old experiencing bloating, difficulty with weight gain, and exacerbation of symptoms after gluten consumption—are highly indicative of celiac disease. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder where the ingestion of gluten leads to damage in the small intestine. In genetically predisposed individuals, gluten triggers an immune response that results in inflammation, malabsorption of nutrients, and a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms, including bloating, diarrhea, and weight loss or, in some cases, difficulties in gaining weight. The key aspect of this scenario is the specific aggravation of symptoms after eating gluten, which aligns closely with how celiac disease manifests. Children affected by this condition often struggle with proper weight gain due to malabsorption. This association between gluten intake and symptomatology is a hallmark of celiac disease, as opposed to other conditions listed. While malabsorption could suggest issues with nutrient absorption, it does not directly link to gluten unless specified, nor does it capture the autoimmune aspect seen in celiac disease. Conditions like Crohn's colitis, which involves inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, could yield similar symptoms but would not specifically relate to gluten ingestion in the same way. Amebiasis is an infection that causes diarrhea and abdominal pain