system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A 28-year-old man visits his physician complaining of hematochezia over the last several days. He also has tenesmus and bowel urgency without any abdominal pain. He has had several milder episodes over the past several years that resolved on their own. He has no history of a serious illness and takes no medications. His blood pressure is 129/85 mm Hg; temperature, 37.4°C (99.3°F); and pulse, 75/min. On physical exam, his abdominal examination shows mild tenderness on deep palpation of the left lower quadrant. Digital rectal examination reveals anal tenderness and fresh blood. Stool examination is negative for pathogenic bacteria and an ova and parasite test is negative. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate is 28 mm/h. Colonoscopy shows diffuse erythema involving the rectum and extending to the distal sigmoid. The mucosa also shows a decreased vascular pattern with fine granularity. The remaining colon and distal ileum are normal. Biopsy of the inflamed mucosa of the sigmoid colon shows distorted crypt architecture. The most appropriate next step is to administer which of the following?
assistant
Mesalamine