Which symptom is described as upper or lower abdominal pain that can be sharp or dull and may be described as heartburn?

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

Answer: (C)

Abdominal pain is the symptom described here. Pain in the upper or lower abdomen that can be sharp or dull covers a broad range of GI discomfort, and patients may describe some burning sensations in that area as heartburn. This makes abdominal pain the best fit for the described symptom, since it directly matches location and quality and can include a heartburn-like description.

Nausea is a sense of wanting to vomit, not pain. Dysuria is painful urination, a urinary symptom. Vomiting is the act of expelling stomach contents.