A nurse is collecting data from a client in the health clinic who is reporting epigastric pain. Which of the following statements made by the client should the nurse identify as being consistent with peptic ulcer disease?

A. "The pain radiates down to my lower back.": Pain radiating to the back is more characteristic of pancreatitis or peptic ulcer perforation into posterior structures, not the typical description for uncomplicated peptic ulcer disease. B. "My pain is relieved by having a bowel movement.": Pain relief with defecation is more consistent with irritable bowel syndrome or lower GI functional disorders, not peptic ulcer disease. C. "The pain is worse after I eat a meal high in fat.": Pain worse after fatty meals suggests biliary (gallbladder) disease rather than classic peptic ulcer disease. D. "I feel so much better after eating.": Pain that improves after eating is a classic presentation for a duodenal ulcer (a type of peptic ulcer) - food buffers gastric acid and may relieve the pain temporarily.