2.5// Abdominal Pain Flashcards
What does the term acute abdomen refer to?
the rapid onset of severe symptoms of abdominal pathology
What amy an acute abdomen indicate?
a potentially life-threatening condition that requires urgent surgical intervention
What should immediate assessment focus on?
- what quadrant (it can be any quadrant of the abdomen)?
- intermittent, sharp, dull, achy or piercing pain?
*radiating from a focal site?
*accompanied by nausea and vomiting?
What reduces unnecessary admission for abdomen issues?
experienced surgeon
How may a patient with acute surgical pathology deteriorate?
rapidly
What do patients with severe, unremitting symptoms warrant?
thorough investigation and close monitoring
acute abdomen can occur without pain in who?
older people
children
immunocompromised
last trimester of pregnancy
How does abdominal pain in older people, the immunocompromised, and pregnant women often present, and what does this lead to?
atypically
leading to delayed diagnosis of life-threatening abdominal pathology
An acute abdomen is diagnosed by a combination of what? (4)
history
physical examination
imaging
laboratory results
What are the commonest causes of acute abdomen?
nonspecific abdominal pain
renal colic
biliary colic
cholecystitis
appendicitis
diverticulitis
What are diverticula?
small bulges or pockets that can develop in the lining of the intestine as you get older
How do people usually know they have diverticula and why?
usually they get no symptoms and only know they have them when they have a scan
What is having diverticula without symptoms called?
diverticulosis
When diverticula do cause symptoms, what is often that symptom?
pain in the lower tummy
What is it called when diverticula do cause pain?
diverticular disease
What can lead to diverticula causing severe symptoms?
them being inflamed or infected
What is it called when diverticula are inflamed or infected?
diverticulitis
What are the different parts of the colon? (6)
appendix
caecum
ascending colon
trasverse colon
descending colon
sigmoid colon
How should you asses a patient?
systematic approach (evaluating airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure)
How do you correct hypovolaemia?
fluids and/or blood products
How do you treat ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) or aortic dissection?
especially careful fluid management
When should an urgent urological consultation be obtained?
if testicular torsion is suspected
What should you include with your full blood count in all patients?
electrolytes, creatinine, urea
What should you give to patients suspected to have an ongoing haemorrhage?
antifibrinolytic such as tranexamic acid