Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) Nursing Practice Test

A 70-year-old patient with weight loss and abdominal pain is suspected of having which syndrome?

1. Carcinoid syndrome

2. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome

3. Irritable bowel syndrome

4. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone

The correct answer is: Carcinoid syndrome

The suspected syndrome for a 70-year-old patient presenting with weight loss and abdominal pain aligns with carcinoid syndrome. This condition is often associated with neuroendocrine tumors, particularly those that secrete serotonin and other vasoactive substances. The symptoms of carcinoid syndrome typically include flushing, diarrhea, wheezing, and abdominal pain, often related to the tumor's location, commonly in the gastrointestinal tract. Weight loss can occur in such cases due to malabsorption or the tumor's metabolic demands. The presentation of abdominal pain in the context of a suspected neuroendocrine tumor also supports this diagnosis, as these tumors often disrupt normal gastrointestinal function. The other options do not align as closely with the symptoms presented. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome relates more to systemic infections or inflammatory processes, which may not directly result in the specific symptomatology outlined. Irritable bowel syndrome, while it can cause abdominal discomfort, typically presents with altered bowel habits and is less likely to be associated with significant weight loss in this age group. The syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone primarily affects fluid balance and may lead to hyponatremia, but it wouldn't directly correlate with weight loss and abdominal pain in the same way. Thus, the combination of