Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

GASTRO > 11: Acute Abdomen > Flashcards

11: Acute Abdomen Flashcards

1
Q

How does acute abdominal pain localise?

A

Localises according to embryological divisions of the gut:

  • Foregut: localises to Epigastric Area
  • Midgut: localises to Periumbilical Area
  • Hindgut: localises to Suprapubic Area
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What are the key features of a History of a patient with Acute Abdominal Pain? (5 things)

A
  1. Past Medical History
  2. Drug History
  3. Family History
  4. Social History
  5. Occupational History
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What features of Past Medical History are relevant in a patient with Acute Abdominal Pain? (3 things)

A
  1. Previous surgical history
  2. Chronic Bowel Disease
  3. Associated conditions
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What features of Drug History are relevant in a patient with Acute Abdominal Pain? (3 things)

A
  1. GI side fx of drugs they’re taking
  2. NSAIDs
  3. Abx
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What features of Family History are relevant in a patient with Acute Abdominal Pain? (5 things)

A
  1. Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  2. Coeliac Disease
  3. Peptic Ulcer
  4. Hereditary Liver Disease
  5. Bowel Cancer
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What features of Social History are relevant in a patient with Acute Abdominal Pain? (4 things)

A
  1. Tattoos
  2. Drug use
  3. Social contacts
  4. Recent foreign travel
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What features of Occupational History are relevant in a patient with Acute Abdominal Pain? (2 things)

A
  1. Exposure to hepatotoxins
  2. Health workers
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the key sings associated with Acute Abdominal Pain? (9 things)

A
  1. Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
  2. Dyspepsia (indigesion)
  3. Nausea / vomiting
  4. Altered bowel habits
  5. Rectal bleeding
  6. Abdominal distension
  7. Anorexia / weight loss
  8. Jaundice
  9. Anaemia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What are the different types of Acute Abdominal Pain? (3 things)

A
  1. Visceral
  2. Parietal
  3. Referred
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the features of VISCERAL Acute Abdominal Pain? (4 things)

A
  1. Hollow / solid organs
  2. Midline pain because bilateral innervation
  3. Vague discomfort → colicky pain
  4. POORLY localised
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What does Visceral EPIGASTRIC Acute Abdominal Pain suggest is affected? (3 things)

A
  1. Stomach
  2. Duodenum
  3. Biliary Tract
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What does Visceral PERIUMBILICAL Acute Abdominal Pain suggest is affected? (3 things)

A
  1. Small Bowel
  2. Appendix
  3. Rectum
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does Visceral SUPRAPUBIC Acute Abdominal Pain suggest is affected? (2 things)

A
  1. Sigmoid Colon
  2. Genitourinary Tract
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the features of PARIETAL Acute Abdominal Pain? (3 points)

A
  1. Involves Parietal Peritoneum
  2. LOCALISED Pain
  3. Tenderness & Guarding (develops → Rigidity & Rebound @ Peritonitis)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is guarding?

A

Tensing abdominal muscles to guard inflammed organs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is rebound?

A

Pain @ sudden release of pressure on abdomen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Where is pain referred to from Uretal Obstruction?

A

Testicular pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Where is pain referred to from Sub diaphragatic irritation? (2 things)

A
  1. Ipsilateral shoulder
  2. Supraclavicular pain
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Where is pain referred to from Gynaecological Pathologies? (2 things)

A
  1. Back
  2. Thigh
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Where is pain referred to from Biliary Disease?

A

Right Infra scapular pain

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Where is pain referred to from MI? (4 things)

A
  1. Epigastric
  2. Neck
  3. Jaw
  4. Arm
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What blood tests are used to invesigate Acute Abdominal Pain? (7 things)

A
  1. FBC
  2. Urea & Electrolytes
  3. CRP (C-Reactive Protein)
  4. Liver function tests
  5. Amylase
  6. Glucose
  7. Blood gases
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What might be seen in a FBC in a person with Acute Abdominal Pain?

A

High WBC (neutrophils)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What might be seen in the Urea & Electrolytes in a person with Acute Abdominal Pain?

A
  1. High creatinine
  2. High urea
  3. High / Low K/Na
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
What might be seen in the C-Reactive Protein (CRP) blood test in a person with Acute Abdominal Pain?
High CRP
26
What might be seen in the Liver function tests in a person with Acute Abdominal Pain? (2 things)
1. High ALT (alanine aminotransferase) 2. High bilirubin
27
What might be seen in the Amylase blood test in a person with Acute Abdominal Pain?
High amylase
28
What might be seen in the Blood gases test in a person with Acute Abdominal Pain?
Acidosis (means patient has pancreatitis)
29
What Radiology tests are done to investigate a patient with Acute Abdominal Pain? (4 things)
1. CXR (erect) 2. Abdominal Plain Film 3. US 4. CT
30
What might be seen on a CXR (erect) in a patient with Acute Abdominal Pain?
Lung pathology
31
What might be seen on a Abdominal Plain Film in a patient with Acute Abdominal Pain? (2 things)
1. Trapped gas bubble 2. Intestinal Obstruction
32
What might be seen on a US in a patient with Acute Abdominal Pain? (2 things)
1. Renal stones 2. Biliary stones
33
What might be seen on a CT in a patient with Acute Abdominal Pain?
More detailed things
34
What does Right Hypochondrium pain suggest? (3 things)
1. Gall stones 2. Pancreatitis 3. Stomach ulcer GPS
35
What does Epigastric pain suggest? (5 things)
1. Indigestion / Dyspepsia 2. Epigastric Hernia 3. Gall stones 4. Pancreatitis 5. Stomach ulcer I.E GPS
36
What does Left Hypochondrium pain suggest? (4 things)
1. Duodenal Ulcer 2. Biliary colic 3. Stomach ulcer 4. Pancreatitis DBS Person
37
What does Right Lumbar pain suggest? (4 things)
1. Constipation 2. Lumbar Hernia 3. UTI 4. Renal stones CLUR (like claire lol)
38
What does Umbilical pain suggest? (6 things)
1. Pancreatitis 2. Umbilical Hernia 3. Early Appendicitis 4. Stomach ulcer 5. Inflammatory Bowel Disease 6. Small Bowel problems PUE SIS (like poo sis)
39
What does Left Lumbar pain suggest? (4 things)
1. Diverticulitis 2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease 3. Constipation 4. Kidney stones DICK
40
What does Right Iliac Fossa pain suggest? (5 things)
1. Groin Pain 2. Inguinal Hernia 3. Constipation 4. Appendicitis 5. Pelvic Pain (gynae) GI-CAP
41
What does Suprapubic pain suggest? (5 things)
1. Inflammatory Bowel Disease 2. UTI 3. Pelvic Pain 4. Appendicitis 5. Diverticulitis I U PAD
42
What does Left Iliac Fossa pain suggest? (4 things)
1. Constipation 2. Groin Pain 3. Appendicitis 4. Pelvic Pain C GAP
43
What are the Pain presentations of Appendictis? (4 things)
1. Periumbilical Pain → R Iliac Fossa 2. Guarding & Rebound 3. NO Relieving factors 4. Aggrevated by MOVEMENT
44
What are the non-pain presentations of Appendicitis? (2 things)
1. Fever 2. Tacchycardia
45
What are the findings of the investigations for Appendicitis? (2 things)
1. High WBC (neutrophils) 2. High CRP (C-reactive protein)
46
Why won't Abx work alone for appendicitis treatment?
Because there is necrosis & iscahemia → perforations
47
What is the treatment for appendicitis?
Emergency appendicectomy
48
What is Gall Stone Disease an umbrella term for? (3 things)
1. Cholecystitis 2. Pancreatitis 3. Asymptomatic gall stones in gall bladder
49
What are the Pain presentations of Gall Stone disease? (5 things)
1. Wave like pain from RUQ → Epigastric 2. Radiates → back / shoulders 3. Dull + achy → sharp + localised 4. Lasts 6 hours + 5. Worse when eating fatty foods
50
What are the non-pain presentations of Gall Stone Disease? (3 things)
1. Nausea / vomiting 2. Anorexia 3. Fever NAF
51
What are the findings of the investigations of Gall Stone Disease? (5 things)
1. High alkaline phosphatase 2. High lipase (means gall stone pancreatitis) RUQ US findings: 3. Thick gall bladder wall 4. Pericholecystic fluid 5. Gall stones
52
What is the treatment for Gall Stone Disease? (4 things)
1. IV fluids 2. Correct electrolyte abnormalities 3. Analgesia 4. Abx
53
What is Diverticulitis?
Outpouching of bowel (sigmoid colon) to form a sac
54
What are the Pain presentations of Diverticulitis? (3 things)
1. LIF pain 2. Localised tenderness 3. Rebound & guarding
55
What are the non-pain presentations of Diverticulitis? (4 things)
1. Fever 2. Change in bowel habits 4. Tenesmus (always wanna poo) 4. Small bowel obstruction
56
What are the findings of the investigations of Diverticulitis? (3 things)
1. Leucocytosis CT (IV & oral contrast) findings 2. Thick bowel wall 3. Peri-diverticular abscess
57
What is the treatment for Diverticulitis? (3 things)
1. Fluids 2. Correct electrolyte abnormality 3. Abx
58
What are some Large Bowel obstructions? (3 things)
1. Carcinoma 2. Diverticulitis 3. Volvulus (loop of intestinal twists)
59
What are some Small Bowel obstructions? (2 things)
1. Hernias 2. Adhesions
60
What is the type of pain for Intestinal Obstructions?
Colicky pain
61
Where is the pain for Intestinal Obstructions?
Umbilical / Suprapubic
62
What are the non-pain presentations of Intestinal Obstructions? (6 things)
1. Constipation 2. Distension 3. Vomiting 4. Dehydration 5. Hyperactive on auscultation 6. Empty rectum
63
What are the findings of the investigations for Intestinal obstruction? (4 things)
1. High WBC X-Ray findings 2. Dilated loops of bowel 3. Less gas in bowel + rectum CT 4. Identifies obstruction cause
64
What is the treatment for Intestinal obstruction? (3 things)
1. Fluids 2. Analgesia 3. Abx
65
What are the Pain presentations of Renal Colic? (5 things)
1. Acute severe pain 2. Flanks 3. Radiates → Abdomen / groin (testicles) 4. Non tender @ palpation 5. Pain comes and goes in waves
66
What are the non-pain presentations of Renal Colic?
Nausea
67
What are the investigations for Renal Colic? (5 things)
1. Urinalysis 2. FBC 3. Urea + electrolytes 4. US 5. CT
68
What is the treatment for Renal Colic? (3 things)
1. IV fluids 2. Analgesia 3. Remove with US
69
What are some other misceallaneous causes for Acute Abdominal Pain?
1. Strangulated hernia 2. Ectopic pregnancy

GASTRO (10 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions