Acute Abdomen

Question 1

Acute abdomen

Answer 1

Pain < 1 week

May refer to severe abdominal pain 2/2 intra-abdominal process
-may need sx intervention

Question 2

Visceral Pain

Answer 2

results from stretching of anatomic nerve fibers surrounding viscus
-may also result from ischemia and inflammation

corresponds to the embryologic origin

Pain description: cramping, colicky, ill-defined, diffuse, vague, intermittent

cannot find comfortable position

ex: intestinal obstruction, renal colic

Question 3

Parietal Pain

Answer 3

AKA somatic

restuls from irritation of nerve fibers located in parietal peritoneum

pain: shape, precisely located, constant

Lie still, motionless

Ex: Appendicitis (late)

Question 4

Referred Pain

Answer 4

Pain @ location distant from diseased organ

Ex: R snap/shoulder w/ biliary
Ipsilater testicle/labia w/ renal
Left neck/jaw/shoulder/arm w/ MI