Chapter 3, Module 7; Abdominal Pain Flashcards
Age 10-20 yr, although it can occur at any age; patient reports sudden onset of colicky pain that progresses to constant pain; pain can begin in epigastrium or periumbilicus and then later localizes in RLQ; pain worsens with movement or coughing; vomiting after onset of pain is sometimes present
Appendicitis
Patient lying still; involuntary guarding; tenderness in RLQ; other tests for peritoneal irritation positive; rebound tenderness; variation in presentation common, particularly with infants, children, and elderly
Appendicitis
DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES FOR Appendicitis?
CBC with differential, ultrasonography, CT, laparoscopy
Women of childbearing age; sudden onset of spotting and persistent cramping in lower quadrant that begins shortly after missed period
Ectopic pregnancy
Signs of hemorrhage, shock, and lower abdominal peritoneal irritation that can be lateralized; enlarged uterus; CMT; tender adnexal mass
Ectopic pregnancy
DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES FOR Ectopic pregnancy?
Positive hCG, ultrasound; ruptured ectopic pregnancy is surgical emergency
Sudden onset of severe in¬ tense, steady epigastric pain that radiates to sides, back, or right shoulder; history of burning, gnawing pain that worsens with empty stomach
Peptic ulcer perforation
Patient lying still; epigastric tenderness; rebound tenderness; abdominal muscles rigid; bowel sounds can be absent
Peptic ulcer perforation
DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES FOR peptic ulcer perforation?
Diagnosis confirmed by upright or lateral decubitus radiograph showing air under diaphragm or in peritoneal cavity; perforation is surgical emergency
Most frequent in elderly, especially if hypertensive; sudden onset of excruciating pain that can be felt in chest or abdomen and can radiate to legs and back
Dissection of aortic aneurysm
Patient lying still; epigastric tenderness; rebound tenderness; abdominal muscles rigid; bowel sounds can be absent Patient appears shocky, vital signs reflect impending shock; deficit or difference in femoral pulses
Dissection of aortic aneurysm
DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES FOR Dissection of aortic aneurysm?
CT or MRI; additional tests include ECG and cardiac enzymes; surgical emergency
Upper or diffuse abdominal pain; can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia
Myocardial infarction
Hypertension or hypotension, cardiac arrhythmia, paradoxical S2
Myocardial infarction
DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES FOR Myocardial infarction?
Serial ECGs, serial cardiac enzymes
Occurs more often in elderly; sudden onset of severe pain that is diffuse and worsens with movement or coughing
Peritonitis
Guarding; rebound tenderness; bowel sounds decreased or absent
Peritonitis
DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES FOR Peritonitis?
CBC with differential, abdominal radiographs
History of cholelithiasis or excessive alcohol use; pain is steady and boring in quality and is unrelieved by change of position; located in LUQ and radiates to back; nausea, vomiting, and diaphoresis
Acute pancreatitis
Patient appears acutely ill; abdominal distention, decreased bowel sounds, diffuse rebound tenderness; upper abdomen can show muscle rigidity; can have limited diaphragmatic excursion of lungs
Acute pancreatitis
DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES FOR Acute pancreatitis?
CBC with differential, serum amylase and lipase levels, triglyceride level, calcium level, and liver chemistries; ultrasonography; CT
Fever, pain in RLQ, other symptoms suggestive of appendicitis
Mesenteric adenitis
Pain on palpation in RLQ; there can be pharyngitis, cervical adenopathy
Mesenteric adenitis
DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES FOR Mesenteric adenitis?
CBC with differential; adenovirus found in tissue of surgical specimen
Appears in adults more than in children, females more than males; colicky pain with progression to constant pain; pain in RUQ that can radiate to right scapular area; pain of cholelithiasis is constant, progressively rising to plateau and falling gradually; nausea, vomiting, history of dark urine and/or light stools; may be aggravated by certain foods
Cholecystitis/ lithiasis
Tender to palpation or percussion in RUQ; gallbladder palpable in about half cases of cholecystitis; positive Murphy sign
Cholecystitis/ lithiasis
DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES FOR Cholecystitis/ lithiasis?
CBC with differential, ultrasonography, radiographs, serum amylase and lipase levels
Sudden onset, excruciating intermittent colicky pain that can progress to constant pain; pain in lower abdomen and flank and radiates to groin; nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, chills, and fever; increased frequency of urination
Ureterolithiasis
CVA tenderness; increased sensitivity in lumbar and groin areas; hematuria
Ureterolithiasis
DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES FOR Ureterolithiasis?
U/A, noncontrast-enhanced helical CT
Urinary symptoms with UTI, back pain with pyelonephritis; infants present with fever, failure to thrive, irritability; toddlers report pain in abdomen; may not report dysuria or frequency
Urinary tract infection (UTI)/pyelonephritis
Altered voiding pattern, malodorous urine, fever
Urinary tract infection (UTI)/pyelonephritis
DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES FOR Urinary tract infection (UTI)/pyelonephritis?
U/A andculture
Lower abdominal pain that becomes progressively more severe; can have irregular bleeding, vaginal discharge, and vomiting; most common in sexually active women
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Abdominal tenderness, CMT and adnexal tenderness (usually bilateral); with peritonitis can also have guarding and rebound tenderness; fever and vaginal discharge common
Pelvicinflammatory disease (PID)
DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES FOR Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)?
WBC and ESR usually elevated; DNA testing, cultures and Gram staining for STIs
Sudden onset of crampy pain usually in umbilical area of epigastrium; vomiting occurs early with small intestinal obstruction and late with large bowel obstruction; obstipation or diarrhea
Obstruction
Hyperactive, high-pitched bowel sounds; fecal mass can be palpated; abdominal distention; empty rectum on digital examination
Obstruction
DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES FOR Obstruction?
Diagnosis confirmed with CT, abdominal radiographs
Abdominal distention, vomiting, obstipation, and cramps
Ileus
Minimal or absent peristalsis on auscultation
Ileus
DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES FOR Ileus?
Gaseous distention of isolated segments of both small and large intestines shown on radiographs
Sudden-onset pain in infant; occurs with sudden relief, then pain again
Intussusception
Fever, vomiting, currant jelly stools
Intussusception