ROSH Gastrointestinal Practice Exam

A 35-year-old woman with chest pain is most likely to benefit from which of the following interventions?

1. Avoidance of fatty foods

2. Calcium channel blocker therapy

3. Eradication of H. pylori

4. Head of bed elevation while sleeping

The correct answer is: Eradication of H. pylori

The most likely beneficial intervention for a 35-year-old woman experiencing chest pain, particularly in the context of gastrointestinal symptoms, would relate to the management of conditions such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In many cases, chest pain can be misattributed to cardiac issues when it may actually arise from esophageal irritations or reflux conditions. The eradication of Helicobacter pylori is particularly significant if there is suspicion of peptic ulcer disease, which can present with symptoms that may be confused with cardiac-related chest pain. H. pylori is a bacterium linked to the development of ulcers in the stomach and duodenum; successful eradication can alleviate symptoms and prevent the progression of gastrointestinal complications, subsequently reducing any associated chest pain. While other options might provide some level of symptom management, they do not address the root cause of chest pain linked with H. pylori or its complications. For example, avoidance of fatty foods may be recommended for general digestive health but does not specifically target H. pylori-related issues. Calcium channel blocker therapy is primarily focused on vascular conditions and may not be appropriate for treating GI-related chest pain. Similarly, elevating the head of the bed can aid in alleviating reflux symptoms but would not address H