Abdominal pain and GI Bleeds Flashcards
What are the two types of pain?
- Localised
- Referred
What is the normal width of the Aorta?
2cm
At what width does the Aorta get considered as a AAA?
3cm
What are the pain characteristics of triple A?
- Sudden onset severe abdominal and back pain,
- Renal colic type pin.
What are the associated symptoms of a triple A?
- Collapse
- Hypotension
- Bilateral lower limb ischemia/ Moteling
- History of smoking, Hypertension and high cholesterol
What is the average length of the Appendix?
5-10cm
Define “Appendicitis”.
Imflammation/ Swelling of the appendix, caused by a blockage.
What are the pain characteristics of Appendicitis?
- A Constant pain that is increasing in intensity.
- Starts in the peri-umbilicus area.
- May settle into the lower left quadrant
- May be exacerbated by walking
- Rebound tenderness in the iliac fossa
What are the signs and symptoms of appendicitis?
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Constipation/ Diarrhoea
- Pyrexia
What is an ectopic pregnancy?
Where a fertilised egg implants itself in the fallopian tube.
What are the risk factors for ectopic pregnancy?
- Smoking
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Previous ectopic pregnancies
What are the associated symptoms of Ectopic pregnancy?
- Missing periods
- Nausea
- History of pelvic inflammatory disease
What are the pain characteristics of an Ectopic pregancy?
- Lower back and pelvic pain
- May report shoulder tip pain
What is acute Cholecysistis?
- Imflammation of the gal bladder.
What is a gallstone normally made of?
Calcium
What condition makes up 30% of ED admissions for acute abdo pain?
Acute Cholecysistis
What are the characteristics of pain for acute cholecysititis?
- Sharp upper right quadrant pain
- Right shoulder tip pain
- Pain worsened by deep breathing and palpation
What are the associated symptoms of cholecysititis?
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pyrexia
- History of fat intolerance
What is acute pancreatitis?
Inflammation of the pancreas
What are the pain characteristics of acute pancreatitis ?
- Constant left upper quadrant pain
- May radiate to the back
What are the associated symptoms of pancreatitis?
- Abdominal tenderness
- Hypotension
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dehydration
- Shock
- History of gallstones and alcohol abuse
What physical features that cause Intestinal obstruction?
- Tumour
- Hernia
- Twisting
What are the reasons that may cause poor function of the intestines?
- ileus (Inability to contract)
- Nervous system disorders (Parkinsons)
- Certain medications
What are the negative impacts of intestinal obstruction?
- Reduced flow, leads to obstruction
- Increased pressure
- Rupture at obstruction site
- Contents empty into the abdominal cavity.
What are the associated symptoms of intestinal obstruction?
- Severe bloating
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Los of appetite
What are the symptoms of constipation?
- Infrequent bowel activity
- Foul smelling wind/ Stools
- Irregular stool texture
- Abdominal distension
- Poor appetite
What is “Diverticulitis”.
Caused by food/ contents getting caught in the Diverticuliti, leading to pain and infection
What are the pain characteristics of Diverticulitis?
- abdo pain in the lower left quadrant
What are the associated symptoms of Diverticulitis?
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating
- altered bowel opening habit
- Pyrexia
What are the main causes of a peptic ulcer?
- Pyloric infection
- NSAID useage
What are the pain characteristics of peptic ulcer?
- Central burning abdominal pain
- Back pain
- In the event of perforation, may get epigastric abdominal pain.
What are the associated symptoms of peptic ulcer?
- Nausea and vomiting
- Heartburn
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
What is testicular torsion?
When the teste twists on the spermatic cord, reducing the blood flow to the teste.
What are the pain characteristics of testicular torsion?
- Lower abdominal and/or groin ain
What are the associated symptoms of testicular torsion?
- Swelling and tenderness in the scrotum
- Nausea and vomiting
What is a UTI?
A infection of the urinary tract, potentially back as far as the kidneys.
What are the causes of UTI?
- Blocked urinary tract
- Bladder emptying issues
- Urinary catheters
- Weakened immune system
What are the pain characteristics of a UTI?
- Pain in the lower back or abdomen
- Cramping
What are the associated symptoms of UTI?
- Pain/ Burning when passing
- Increased frequency going to the toilet
- Nausea and vomiting
- Cloudy/ bloody in urine
- Pyrexia
- Fatigue
What are kidney stones?
Crystals that build up in the kidneys, and then passed in the urine.
What are the pain characteristics of kidney stones?
Back pain (Ache) sometimes felt in the groin.
Periods of intense abdominal pain.
What are the associated symptoms of kidney stones?
- Feeling restless
- Nausea
- Increased frequency passing urine
- Pain on urination
- haematuria
What is Gastritis?
inflammation of the stomach.
What are the pain characteristics of Gastritis?
- Upper abdominal pain
- Cramping
- Lower chest pin.
What are the associated symptoms of Gastritis?
- Nausea and vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Haematemasis
What is peritonitis?
Inflammation o the peritoneum (the sack around the abdominal cavity)
What are the pain characteristics of Peritonitis?
- Pain on coughing
What are the associated symptoms of peritonitis?
- Reduced abdominal muscle wall movement
- Abdominal wall distension
What is hepatitis?
Inflammation of the liver
What are the pain characteristics of the Hepatitis?
Abdominal pain in the region
What are the associated symptoms of Hepatitis?
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Jaundice
- Dark Urine
What are the pain characteristics of Ischemic bowel?
- Moderate to severe colic pain
- Severe left iliac fossa pain
What is Ischemic bowel?
A group of condition associated with reduced blood flow and potential infarction of intestines .
What are the associated symptoms of Ischemic bowel?
- PR bleeding
- GI Symptoms
- Signs of peritonitis
What are the 2 major disturbances caused by infective diarrhoea?
- Increased intestinal secretion of fluids and electrolytes predominantly in the small intestine.
- Reduced absorption of fluid, electrolytes and nutrients
What is Pelvic inflammatory disease?
A Bacterial infection that spreads from the vagina or cervix to the reproductive organs higher up.
What are the Pain characteristics of PID?
- Pain in the lower abdomen and pelvic region
- Abnormal tenderness
What are the associated symptoms of PID?
- Vaginal discharge
- Fever
- Nausea
What is Acieties?
The abnormal accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity
When assessing the abdomen what are you inspecting for?
Bruising, Marks, Scars, Swelling, Distension, rashes and masses.
What is a Malory-wiess tear?
A bleed caused by a small tear in the lining of the upper gastro system.
What are the common causes of lower GI bleeds?
- Diverticulitis disease
- Tumours
- IBS
- Haemorrhoids
Define “Haematemasis”.
Dark red, black from the stomach.
Define “Malaena”.
Black stool or red/dark blood clots from the rectum.
