Case Study 
The patient Lucy is 18 years old. She has been admitted to the hospital with diarrhea and dehydration and is going through a GI workup to determine if she has inflammatory bowel disease.

History: Frequent bouts of abdominal pain and diarrhea 
Labs:  Hgb: 10.5gm/dL (12-16)
WBC 12,500 (5000 -10,000/mL)
VS: BP 100/74; HR 80; afebrile

 

Lucy’s mother, an RN, is very concerned about her condition and potential diagnosis of Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis and asks you some questions.

1. What are the main differences in the pathophysiology of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis regarding how they affect the GI tract (2 points)?

 

2. What about the signs and symptoms? How do they differ?

 

3. Are there any differences in the possible complications?