A female patient with mild right upper quadrant pain and normal liver function tests is asked a relevant medical history question. What should the sonographer inquire about?

A female patient with mild right upper quadrant pain and normal liver function tests is asked a relevant medical history question. What should the sonographer inquire about?

• A. Are you diabetic?
• B. Do you use oral contraceptives?
• C. Are you taking medication for hypertension?
• D. Have you undergone any abdominal surgery?

Answer: (B)

Inquiring whether the patient uses oral contraceptives is particularly relevant in the context of mild right upper quadrant pain and normal liver function tests. This is because the use of oral contraceptives is associated with potential conditions such as hepatic adenomas, which can occur in women who are on estrogen-containing contraceptive methods. Although liver function tests are normal, oral contraceptives can sometimes influence liver pathology or contribute to symptoms that might not immediately reflect in laboratory measures. The other options might be relevant in different clinical contexts but do not specifically correlate to the symptoms being presented. For instance, diabetes and hypertension management are more associated with long-term health conditions and systemic effects rather than isolated right upper quadrant pain. Similarly, while previous abdominal surgeries could provide some context, they do not directly address potential complications or conditions that might arise in conjunction with oral contraceptives that could be more immediately linked to the patient's current symptoms.

Inquiring whether the patient uses oral contraceptives is particularly relevant in the context of mild right upper quadrant pain and normal liver function tests. This is because the use of oral contraceptives is associated with potential conditions such as hepatic adenomas, which can occur in women who are on estrogen-containing contraceptive methods. Although liver function tests are normal, oral contraceptives can sometimes influence liver pathology or contribute to symptoms that might not immediately reflect in laboratory measures.

The other options might be relevant in different clinical contexts but do not specifically correlate to the symptoms being presented. For instance, diabetes and hypertension management are more associated with long-term health conditions and systemic effects rather than isolated right upper quadrant pain. Similarly, while previous abdominal surgeries could provide some context, they do not directly address potential complications or conditions that might arise in conjunction with oral contraceptives that could be more immediately linked to the patient's current symptoms.