Abdominal Pain Flashcards
A patient presents with abdominal pain and cramps for a few days, phones 111 and you are dispatched. Upon arrival the patient has just vomited and has had diarrhoea. He explains he always feels tired and has lost a lot of weight over the last few months. What is your provisional diagnosis?
Gastroenteritis- a common infection of the stomach or bowel, commonly caused by viruses or bacteria.
You are called to patient with details of back pain. Upon arrival the patient describes abdominal pain in the lower left quadrant with nausea and vomiting. His bowel movements vary and are not of his normal habit, he feels bloated and hasn’t eaten much due to this. On his observations you note his temperature at 38.7.
What is your diagnosis?
Diverticulitis - An inflammation of the Diverticula within the large intestine.
You are dispatched to a patient with chest pain, when you arrive the patient feels very tired, has vomited (Haematemesis) and lost lots of weight. He has had central burning abdominal pain for 2 days which also radiates to his back.
Today the patient has called due to a sudden severe pain to his epigastric region.
What is your primary diagnosis?
Patient was suffering from a peptic ulcer - An erosion of the stomach lining or small intestine leading to a formation of an ulcer.
Today the ulcer has perforated, causing the sudden severe pain.
You are called to a 52 year old male who is complaining of chest/upper abdominal pain. He describes that whenever he eats something he vomits causing him to loose his appetite. His vomit consists of haematemesis. Patient admits he likes to drink.
All his observations are normal, what is your current diagnosis?
Gastritis - An inflammation of the gastric lining and can be caused by medication, alcohol, helicobacter or stress.
A patient approaches your ambulance and complains of pain in the lower abdomen, pelvic area or back. She claims that she isn’t pregnant but presents with abdominal tenderness with vaginal discharge, nausea and a fever. What is your current diagnosis?
Pelvic inflammatory Disease - An infection of the uterus, Fallopian tubes and ovaries.
You are called to a 6 month old who is found intermittently screaming and drawing his legs up.
Mother explains that he has vomited 3 times today and has currant jelly like stools with blood and mucus.
What is your primary concern?
Intussusception - Most commonly found in infants. An inward telescoping of the intestine that may cause an obstruction.
You are called to a 16 year old patient who describes a constant pain in the lower right quadrant. This has increased in intensity over the last day or so and initially started in the umbilical region.
Patient describes feeling nauseous, a loss of appetite, constipation and vomiting twice.
On examination you discover rebound tenderness on the LRQ and a temperature of 37.7. What is your diagnosis?
Appendicitis- An infection of the Appendices.
You are working on the RRV when you are called to a patient complaining of a sharp pain in the upper right quadrant. Occasionally this radiates to the right shoulder tip. This started a few hours ago and is worse when breathing deeply and palpating.
Patient feels nauseous and has vomited once today, she has a fever of 39.0 and has a PMH of fat intolerance.
What is your diagnosis?
Acute Cholecystitis - An inflammation of the Gall bladder, commonly caused by a gall stone obstructing the cystic duct.
Patient is a 89 year old who presents with general abdominal pain, cramping in nature.
Patient explains that his abdomen seems bigger than normal, is vomiting a lot today and can’t eat. He hasn’t had a bowel movement for 7 days.
Bowel sounds are silent, he is sweaty but no massive changes to observations.
What is your diagnosis?
Bowel Obstruction - Complete or partial blockage of the Bowel, this needs immediate attention!
Patient is a 65 year old female who has a constant pain in the upper left quadrant and central abdomen. She has tenderness on palpating with nausea and vomiting. She appears dehydrated and with some signs of shock, patient is previous alcoholic.
Her blood pressure is slightly low at 101/65
What is your initial diagnosis?
Acute Pancreatitis - An inflammation of the Pancreas.
Patient is a 55 year old male who complains of sudden severe abdominal pain which radiates to his back, the pain was so severe he fell to the floor. Patient reports a pain which feels like renal colic.
During your assessment patient becomes unresponsive with hypotension, his abdomen has significantly distended during the assessment and appears very pale.
What is your diagnosis?
Leaking or Ruptured Aortic Aneurysm.
You have an 18 year old female complaining of cramping pains in the lower abdomen and back. She claims she needs to urinate frequently with often poor flow and bad odour. She has a temperature of 38.6 but no other changes to her observations.
She has some suprapubic tenderness and needs to urinate more at night (nocturia)
What is your initial diagnosis?
Urinary Tract Pathology - Likely an infection of the Kidneys due to the fever.
