Appendicitis

Question 1

Appendicitis is related to a low___ diet *the appendix becomes inflamed with bowel content and pus*

Answer 1

fiber

Question 2

The number 1 thing we’re afraid of with appendicitis is___. why?

Answer 2

rupture;

if it does, you’re leaking bowels all in your abdomen.

Question 3

what position would you put your patient with a ruptured appendix while they’re waiting to go into surgery?

Answer 3

sit up; so the bowel content will settle down in 1 spot. (like ascities)

Question 4

*side note* if you’re giving your patient a tube feeding, what position will they be on?

Answer 4

right side with a pillow under their head; it will make it easier for their stomachs to empty plus it’s an aspiration risk. stay like this for at least 45 minutes

Question 5

appendicitis starts with generalized pain, but when it starts getting worst, it starts localizing in which quadrant? what’s it called?

Answer 5

right lower quadrant; mc-burney’s point

Question 6

do they get rebound tenderness?

Answer 6

yes

Question 7

when the doc confirms appendicitis, he tells u to give them a cleansing enema. what do you tell him? why?

Answer 7

no; it can rupture the appendix if a new nurse does it. it’s very high risk

Question 8

after ANY major abdominal surgery, what is the position of choice?

Answer 8

elevate the head a little bit. (low semi fowler’s position) to decrease pressure on the suture line