Abdominal Pain

This chapter explores the case of four-year-old Jennifer, who is presented to the primary care office with a complaint of abdominal pain for 2 days. Her mother states that Jennifer's pain is intermittent and is mainly on the left side of her abdomen. She states that the pain is sometimes worse after eating and that the pain is sometimes relieved by passing gas. Jennifer's sleep has not been interrupted by her abdominal pain. Jennifer had bronchiolitis at 6 months of age but has had no injuries or illnesses since that time. Jennifer passed her developmental screening at her last well-child visit. The chapter provides essential guidance and information for understanding how to diagnose and manage this case. This includes differential diagnosis and a series of critical thinking questions ideal for the family nurse practitioner.