Acute Abdomen Flashcards
Acute Abdominal Pain Causes
-ppendicitis
-perforated peptic uler
-acute pancreatitis
-ruptured sigmoid colon
ruptured diverticular
-ovarian torsion
-ruptured AAA
-ischaemic bowel
Abdominal Assessments
-pain scale
-OLDCARTS
-onset, duration, location, characteristics, aggravating factors, relieving factors, timing, severity
- N&V
-ausculate bowel
-melena
-input and output
Abdominal Diagnostics
-full hx
-physical examination
-palpate
-eating habits
-NG tube
-FBC
-blood cultures
-urinalysis
-ECG
-CT scan
-ultrasound
-diagnostic laparoscopy
Peritonitis
-Redness, inflammation or swelling of the lining of the belly or abdomen (peritineum)
Appendicitis
-appendix inflammation
-obstruction of faces in the lumen
-obstruction causes distension, venous engorgement and bacteria accumulation
Appendix
-has immune function
-pouch projecting out of the colon
Appendicitis Signs and Symptoms
-periumbilical pain
-anorexia
-nausea and vomiting
-persistant pain @ right lower quadrant
-localised tenderness
-diminished bowel sounds
Peritoneum
a membrane, a sheet of smooth tissue that lines your abdominopelvic cavity and surrounds your abdominal organs
Peritonitis causes
-apendicitis with rupture
-blunt or penetrating trauma to abdominal organs
-cirrhosis with ascites
-genital tract organisms
Ascites
Fluid collecting in spaces in the abdomen
Cirrhosis
scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by long-term liver damage
Peritonitis Signs & Symptoms
-adbominal pain
-rebound tenderness
-muscular rigity
-shallow respirations
-fever
-tachycardia
-nausea and vomiting
-spasms
Mechanical Intestinal Obstruction
-detectable occlusion of the intestine
-cancer
-strictures (From chrons)
-hernia
surgical adhesion
Strictures
a narrowing of part of the intestine because of scar tissue in its wall commonly seen in crohns
Hernia
bulging of an organ or tissue through an abnormal opening
Non-mechanical Intestinal Obstruction
-from neuromuscular or vascular disorders
-ileus is the most common cause
Ileus
lack of intestinal peristalsis
Jaundice
the skin, whites of the eyes and mucous membranes turn yellow because of a high level of bilirubin
Intestinal Obstruction Nursing Assessment
-patient history
-physical examination
-CT
-CXR
-fever
-jaundice
-colonoscopy
-IV fluids
-pain management
-vitals and escalation
-nutritional status
-hypovolemic shock monitoring
Cholelithiasis
-Gallstones
-cause is unknown
- hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in your gallbladder
-can form if your bile has too much cholesterol, or not enough bile salts
Cholycystitis
Gallbladder inflammation
Gallbladder
It stores and concentrates bile produced in the liver. Bile aids in the digestion of fat and is released from the gallbladder
Crohns Disease
an inflammatory bowel disease
-inflammation spreads through the layers of the gut causing ulcrers, abcesses
Ulcerative colitis
-IBD
-continuous inflammation of the colon opposed to crohns where parts are healthy and parts are damaged
Pancreatitis
-when digestive enzymes bcome activiated with still in the pancreas irritating the pancreas cells
Pancreas
Exocrine function: Produces substances (enzymes) that help with digestion. Endocrine function: Sends out hormones that control the amount of sugar in your bloodstream
Pancreatitis Causes
-gallstones stuck in the bile duct blockng enzymes in the pancreatic duct
-heavy alcohol use
-chronic pancreatitis
Acute Pancreatitis
acute inflammation of the pancreas
Acute Pancreatitis Causes
-alcohol
-biliary tract disease
-smoking
-trauma
-infection
-post op GI surgery
-drugs
Causes of Pancreatic enzyme activation
-odedema
-haemorrhage
-fat necrosis
-shock
-smooth muscle cell contraction
Pancreatitis Signs and Symptoms
-abdominal tenderness and pain
-fever
-tachycardia
-Nausea and Vom
-hyperglycemia
-shock
-paralytic ileus
Pancreatitis Interventions
-monitor renal function
-correct fluid and electrolyte balances
-pain relief
-nil by mouth
-nasogasto tube
-monitor BGL
-prevent and alleviate shock
Cullen’s Sign
Superficial oedema with bruising in the subcutaneous fatty tissue around the periumbilical region
Greu Turmner’s Sign
ecchymosis and discolouration of the flanks
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
-relapsing and remitting condition characterised by chronic inflammation at various points in the GI tracts ]
-crohns and ulcerative colitis
