Blessington lecture Flashcards
patient presents with periumbilical pain migrating to the RLQ with low-grade fever and nausea, vomiting
appendicitis
what is the single most important sign for diagnosing appendicitis?
RLQ pain on palpation
what 5 signs may be positive in your patient with appendicitis?
1) guarding
2) psoas
3) obturator
4) rovsings
5) dunphy’s (increased pain w/ coughing)
in what position will a patient with appendicitis lay in for comfort?
hip flexion with knees drawn up
diagnosis of appendicitis?
CT with contrast if stable
without contrast if unstable
treatment of appendicitis?
NPO then appendectomy
what meds will we give as part of our treatment for appendicitis?
flagyl (metronidazole) and unasyn?
fentanyl and zofran on PRN schedules
a bloated, distended, “taunt” abdomen and increased pain in the LLQ should make you think what?
diverticulitis
what other symptoms, aside from pain, may your patient with diverticulitis present with?
nausea
maybe loose stools with blood
fever
will a patient with diverticulitis pain be improved while lying down or standing up?
improved lying down
where is the most common area in the abdomen for diverticulitis?
left sided/sigmoid lesions
what genetic disease increases risk for diverticulitis?
familial polyposis
patients with diverticula and polyposis are at increased risk for what?
colon cancer
how do we diagnose diverticulitis?
CT! will see diverticula in rectosigmoid, focal wall thickening in sigmoid colon with adjacent fat stranding
pneumoperitoneum on CT indicates what?
perforation!
fluid collection adjacent to the area of inflammation and diverticulitis indicates what?
abscess
management of uncomplicated diverticulitis?
1) NPO initially, then gastric and bowel rest (clear liquids)
2) IV hydration
3) analgesic medications
4) antibiotics
5) discharge home
6) return if worsening symptoms
what are the antibiotics of choice for managing diverticulitis?
cipro and flagyl
when is diverticulitis considered “complicated”?
presence of perforation, bowel obstruction, abscess or fistula seen on CT, high fever, sepsis, vomiting
if your patient with diverticulitis is vomiting, what do they need?
NG tube!
management of complicated diverticulitis?
1) NPO
2) IV cipro + flagyl
3) IV analgesics
4) surgical intervention
what are the two surgical procedures used for complicated, emergent diverticulitis?
primary or secondary anastomosis*
colectomy (hartman procedure) – use is limited to emergency surgery when immediate anastomosis is not possible
what are recommendations you can give your patient with a hx of diverticulitis/diverticulosis?
increase fiber
avoid seed containing products (popcorn, tomatoes, nuts)
following a bout of diverticulitis, when should your patient go in for a colonoscopy?
1 month