What symptom would you expect to assess in a patient with ulcerative colitis?

In patients with ulcerative colitis, abdominal cramps are a common symptom due to inflammation in the colon. This inflammatory process can lead to increased bowel motility and cramping pain, as the intestinal muscles contract in response to the irritation. Such cramps often accompany other gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea, which is characteristic of ulcerative colitis.

The other symptoms listed, such as weight gain, dark urine, or coughing, are not typically associated with ulcerative colitis. Weight gain may be seen in other conditions or contexts, but patients with ulcerative colitis often experience weight loss due to decreased appetite and malabsorption. Dark urine could indicate dehydration or liver issues, neither of which are primary concerns in ulcerative colitis. Coughing is unrelated to gastrointestinal conditions and would require a different line of assessment focused on respiratory health. Thus, abdominal cramps stand out as a direct symptom of the disease, reflecting the underlying pathology involved in ulcerative colitis.