Which patient is an 81-year-old male with a distended abdomen?

The correct choice pertains to the 81-year-old male patient, which highlights the specific demographic detail of age and gender. This detail is crucial in clinical assessments, as age and sex can significantly impact the presentation and underlying causes of abdominal distension. In geriatric patients, such as an 81-year-old male, abdominal distension may be indicative of several potential issues, including but not limited to gastrointestinal obstruction, ascites, or even conditions like liver disease.

Identifying the correct patient profile, which in this case is Ernest Peterson, allows for appropriate assessment and prioritization of further medical evaluation. Other patients listed may not match the critical demographic or may present different clinical features needing consideration, but the focus remains on the age and gender combination in determining the correct answer in this particular scenario. Furthermore, geriatric patients often have comorbidities that provide additional context for interpreting symptoms like abdominal distention.