Question

A 28-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis presents with increased bloody diarrhoea (eight stools per day), crampy abdominal pain and tachycardia 110 beats per minute. Haemoglobin is 100 g/L, CRP elevated and abdominal X-ray shows no megacolon. What is the most appropriate initial management?

Accepted Answer

Start systemic intravenous corticosteroids and admit to hospital

Answer

Start high-dose oral mesalamine alone

Answer

Start oral prednisone 20 mg daily and discharge home

Answer

Start anti-TNF biologic therapy immediately as outpatient

Answer

Begin broad-spectrum antibiotics only

Practice question

A 28-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis presents with increased bloody diarrhoea (eight stools per day), crampy abdominal pain and tachycardia 110 beats per minute. Haemoglobin is 100 g/L, CRP elevated and abdominal X-ray shows no megacolon. What is the most appropriate initial management?