Question

question 7 (mandatory) (10 points)
listen
itching with burning pain in the perianal region in a 22 - year - old female has been present for several months. physical examination reveals dilated and thrombosed external hemorrhoids. what underlying process most likely led to her present condition?
pregnancy
polyarteritis nodosa
filariasis
micronodular cirrhosis
rectal adenocarcinoma

Explanation:

• Pregnancy: During pregnancy, hormonal changes and increased abdominal pressure can lead to venous congestion, which is a common cause of hemorrhoids.
• Polyarteritis nodosa: This is a systemic vasculitis that typically affects medium - sized arteries and is not directly related to hemorrhoids.
• Filariasis: Caused by filarial worms, it mainly affects the lymphatic system (e.g., causing elephantiasis) and not the perianal venous system.
• Micronodular cirrhosis: While cirrhosis can cause portal hypertension, which may lead to varices (including esophageal varices), it is less likely to be the direct cause of external hemorrhoids compared to pregnancy in a young female.
• Rectal adenocarcinoma: Usually presents with symptoms like rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, etc., rather than being a common direct cause of external hemorrhoids.

Answer:

Pregnancy