acute abdomen - appendicitis Flashcards
what does constant pain suggest
due to inflammation
what does colicky pain suggest
blocked ‘tube’
what does sudden onset pain suggest
- perforation
- rupture
- torsion
- acute pancreatitis
- infarction
what does back pain suggest
- pancreatitis
- rupture of aortic aneurysm
- renal tract disease
what is peritonitis pain like
continuous made worse with movement
what does guarding on examination suggest
peritonitis
what does tinkling bowel sounds suggest
fluid obstruction
what does absent bowel sound suggest
peritonitis
what does a raised white cell count occur in
inflammatory conditions
what does high levels of serum amylase suggest
acute pancreatitis
what is done to women of child bearing age
pregnancy test
what is useful for diagnosis of acute cholangitis, cholecystitis and aortic aneurysm
ultrasound
most common cause of appendicitis
lumen of the appendix becomes obstructed with faecolith
what happens if appendix is not removed
gangrene occurs with perforation
symptoms of appendicitis
- RIF pain
- nausea
- vomiting
- anorexia
- diarrhoea
