Clin Med- Acute abdomen Flashcards
Visceral Pain
- what causes it
- how does it related to timing of parietal pain
- distention of hollow organs
- capsular stretching of solid organs
- typically before parietal pain
Visceral pain sx
- intermittent
- dull
- crampy
- poorly localized
- usually midline
ex. mesenteric ischemia or early appedicitis
Parietal Pain
- what causes it
- location
- pt rxn on PE
- ischemia, inflammation, stretching of parietal peritoneum
- specific pain - on the same side/area pain originates from
- rebound, guarding, rigidity on exam
Parietal pain
- sx
- sharp
- constant
- worse with movement & palpation
ex. acute appendicitis
History
take a look at the slide, much like phys di information we already know
What is one of the most important parts of the PE??
VITAL SIGNS
What else to look for on PE
- gen appearance: pallor, distress (laying still or writhing in pain)
- inspection: distention or discoloration
- auscultation: absent or tinkling bowel sounds, bruits
- palpation: be gentle, localize pain
Rebound tenderness
- kid specific way to test
- classic example of dz
- jump up and down
- appendicitis
Guarding
- describe
reflex spasm of abd wall in response to palpation/peritoneal irritation
*distract pt while palpating to distinguish true guarding from purposeful
What must you do with every female who presents with undifferentiated abd pain?
pelvic exam
What must you do to every male who has lower abd pain?
GU exam to check for strangulated hernia or testicular torsion
Inspection of the rectum
- prostate exam
- blood
- abscess
- foreign body
List 5 special tests for abd exam
- Psoas
- Murphy’s
- Obturator
- Rovsing’s
- Heel Tap
*BAM we know these already!
Important PMH for pt with abd pain
- prior surgery: obstruction from adhesions
- questions to ascertain risk for mesenteric ischemia and AAA (CAD, HTN, a. fib)
- ETOH abuse (pancreatitis)
- meds: NSAIDS, abx, steroids
what test should be ordered if intestinal obstruction is top of ddx?
oral contrast (for CT?) to help surgeon delineate the obstruction point
Kehr Sign
- pain from gallbladder or spleen radiates to shoulders or scapula due to irritation of the diaphragm
Tests to order for abd pain (8)
- EKG
- CBC (don’t base dx on CBC!!)
- BMP/CMP for kidney/liver function
- Lipase
- UA/uHCG (don’t miss ectopic pregnancy!!)
- abd series (overused)
- CT
- US
Appendicitis
- cause
- pain location
- obstruction of lumen from food or adhesions
- periumbilical pain that migrates to RLQ
Appendicitis
- sx
- PE
- anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fever
- guarding, rebound tenderness, +McBurney’s, Rovsings, Psoas, obturator, and heel tap
Appendicitis
- what to order
- tx
- CT of abdomen pelvis pref with contrast
- US children/pregnant
- abx, general surgery
Appendicitis on CT
- look at slides
- normal is clearly delineated, smooth, air is normal
- abnormal is stranding (inflamed), may see appendicolith
Biliary colic, cholecystitis, ascending cholangitis
- location of pain
- sx
- RUQ or epigastric
- crampy, colicky pain, postprandial
- radiates to sub scapular area