A patient reports constant or intermittent abdominal discomfort along with loss of appetite. Which symptom best matches?

• A. Abd. Pain
• B. Nausea
• C. Vomiting
• D. Diarrhea

Answer: (B)

Nausea is the sensation of sickness in the stomach, often described as queasiness, and it commonly goes hand in hand with a reduced appetite. When a patient reports abdominal discomfort along with loss of appetite, this combination points to nausea as the best match because it directly explains why their desire to eat has diminished—the stomach feels unsettled, triggering that urge to avoid food.

Abdominal pain alone can come from many different GI or non-GI sources and doesn’t specifically explain the appetite change. Vomiting is a more extreme outcome that may occur if nausea worsens, but the question focuses on what best matches the paired symptoms, not the progression. Diarrhea involves bowel movements and motility, which doesn’t directly address the reported loss of appetite.