e Abdominal Pain Flashcards
What are the general characteristics for acute abdominal pain?
- Evaluation of acute abdominal pain requires rapid assessment of likely causes & early initiation of appropriate Tx
- DDx should extend beyond intra-abdominal pathology
A. Epigastric pain : MI, PE, pneumonia
B. Abd pain : DKA
What are the ddx an abrupt onset abdominal pain?
- Perforated viscus
- SBO
- Ureterocalculus
- Acute pancreatitis
- Ischemic bowel
- Ruptured vessel (portal, AAA)
- Acute cholecystitis
- Ruptured spleen
- Acute urinary retention
What are common RUQ ddx?
- ACute cholecystitis
- Duodenal ulcer
- Hepatitis
- Congestive hepatomegaly
- Pyelonephritis
- Appendicitis
- Right pneumonia
What are common RLQ ddx?
- Appendicitis
- Salpingitis
- Tubo-ovarian abscess
- Ruptured ectopic pregnancy
- Renal/ureteric stone
- Incarcerated hernia
- Mesenteric adenitis
- Meckle’s Diverticulum
- Crohn’s dz
- Perforated ceacum
- Psoas abscess
What are common LLQ ddx?
- Intestinal obstruction
- Acute pancreatitis
- Early appendicitis
- Mesenteric thrombosis
- Aortic aneurysm
- Diverticulitis
- Sigmoid diverticulitis
- Salpingitis
- Tubo-ovarian abscess
- Rupured ectopic pregnancy
- Perforated colon
- Crohn’s dz
- Ulcerative colitis
- renal/ureteral stone
What are common LUQ ddx?
- Ruptured spleen
- Gastric ulcer
- Aortic aneurysm
- Perforated COlon
- Pyelonephritis
- Left pneumonia
What are common epigastric pain ddx?
- Myocardial infarct
- Peptic ulcer
- Acute Cholecystitis
- Perforated Esophagus
What are common ddx with a gradual onset?
1. Peritoneal inflammation or infection A. Appendicitis B. Diverticulitis C. Gastritis D. PID E. Chronic pancreatitis
How is a pt with acute abdominal pain assessed for stability?
1. Determine pt stability A. Ill or toxic appearing ? B. Responsiveness? C. GCS D. ABC’s? E. Vital signs? F. Extremity perfusion?
What is included in the abdominal exam in a pt with acute abdominal pain?
- Inspection
- Auscultation
- Percussion
A. Assess organomegaly, ascitis (fluid wave), obstruction, mass - Palpation
A. Rebound tenderness, board-like rigidity or guarding, pulsatile mass
What additional exams are required for a pt presenting with abdominal pain?
- DRE (if appropriate)
A. Guaiac - Genitalia/Pelvic exam (if appropriate)
A. Do not do a rectal exam on a cardiac pt or a shock pt
What does a positive Iliopsoas sign indicate?
Retrocecal appendicitis
What does a positive Rovsing’s sign indicate?
Inflammation, peritonitis
What does a positive Obturator sign indicate?
- inflammation involving the obturator nerve
A. Appy, diverticulitis, PID
What does a positive Murphy’s sign indicate?
cholecystitis
What are the ddx for severe abdominal pain?
- Renal colic
- Biliary colic
- Acute pancreatitis
- Acute gastritis/ulcer
- Perforated viscus
- Peritonitis
- Vascular pathologies
A. MI, mesenteric ischemia, AAA dissection
What are the common ddx for dull poorly localized pain?
- Suggests inflammatory process
A. Appendicitis
B. Diverticulitis
What are the common ddx for intermittent pain with cramps?
- Gastroenteritis
2. SBO
What ddx have pain that radiates to the back?
- Pancreatitis
- Peptic ulcer
- Gastritis
What ddx have pain that radiates to the shoulder?
- From ipsilateral diaphragmatic irritation by air, blood or infection in peritoneal cavity
A. Cholecystitis
B. Salpingitis/ ovarian pathology
What ddx presents with periumbilical and epigastric pain?
Gradually localizes to RLQ -> appendicitis
What ddx presents with Pain radiating to the flank and groin or genitalia?
- Ureteral colic
2. Testicular torsion
What asst. sxs may be present with acute abdominal pain?
- Anorexia
- N&V
- Fever & rigors
- Flank pain
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
What may fever and rigors asst with abdominal pain indicate?
- Suppurative cholangitis (pyogenic infection/obstruction)
A. RUQ pain, fever/chills, jaundice (Charcot’s Triad)
B. Surgical emergency
What may flank pain asst. with abdominal pain indicate?
- Pyelonephritis
2. Renal colic
What may constipation asst. with abdominal pain indicate?
Suggests intestinal obstruction, diverticulitis, appy or ileus
What may diarrhea asst with abdominal pain indicate?
Suggests gastroenteritis, colitis, (diverticulitis, appendicitis, SBO)
What dx studies are indicated for abdominal pain?
- CBC w/ diff
- Serum CMP
- Serum Lipase and Amylase
- UA w/ micro
- Urine or serum HCG
- EKG
- Bedside/stat USN
- KUB
- CXR
- CT
What may the CBC w/ diff show for abdominal pain?
- Hct ↑ in dehydration
- Hct ↓ in anemia or acute bleed
- WBC helpful if significantly elevated
A. “L shift” → bacterial infection
What may the Serum CMP show in abdominal pain?
1. Hepatic Function Tests A. Suspected hepatitis B. RUQ pain/tenderness C. Jaundice/light colored stools D. Tea colored urine 2. Serum Electrolytes/BUN/Cr A. Evaluate kidney function B. ↑ BUN -Dehydration -GI bleed
What may the UA w/ micro show for abdominal pain?
- UTI’s
- Kidney stones
- Uncontrolled DM
- Dehydration
a. ↑ SG
What may the urine or serum HCG show for abdominal pain?
- Obtain in all women of child bearing age unless pregnancy is physically impossible
A. TAHBSO
Who is at a higher risk for an ectopic pregnancy?
- Hx PID
- IUD
- Prior ectopic pregnancy
- Failed tubal ligation
What may an EKG show for abdominal pain?
Obtain in pt w/ epigastric or upper abd pain & unclear etiology
Why is a bedside/stat USN ordered for abdominal pain?
R/O free intra-peritoneal fluid (cul-de-sac), ectopic pregnancy, cholecystitis, hydronephrosis, pancreatitis, AAA, IUP, Ovarian cyst
Why is a KUB ordered for abdominal pain?
R/O calculus, SBO, colon obstruction, constipation
Why is a cxr ordered for ab pain?
R/O free air, pneumonia
Why is a CT ordered for ab pain?
R/O appy, tics, pancreatitis, mass, stones, ischemic bowel
What ab pain pts get surgery?
- Acute abdomen
A. Appendicitis, ruptured spleen, GI bleed, bowel perforation, intestinal obstruction, peritonitis, ectopic pregnancy, renal obstruction
B. Pulsatile abdominal mass
C. Shock w/ abd pain - If hypotensive or hemodynamically unstable w/abd pain
A. R/O life threatening pathology
B. STAT Surgical consult
How is life threatening abd pain managed?
1. Treat shock A. Oxygen @ rate 2-10 l/min by NC or mask -Keep SaO2 > 95% B. 2 large bore IV’s -Crystalloid sol’t (NS or LR) 2. Obtain labs: A. CBC w/ diff B. Serum CMP, lipase, lactate, HCG C. Fingerstick glucose D. Type & screen E. ABG’s 3. Foley catheter to monitor UO A. Obtain UA (UC if indicated) 4. Rapid IV infusion 5. NG TUbe if indicated 6. IV abx if indicated 7. Pelvic exam 8. DRE
What is the rapid IV infusion for life threatening abd pain?
- Titrate rate to stabilize BP
- Initially 1 liter bolus over 10-20 minutes (adult pts)
- Caution in pt w/ Hx of CHF
Persistent shock despite fluid resuscitation in pt w/ acute abd pain requires what?
Exploratory laparotomy
When is a nasogastric tube indicated?
- Intestinal obstruction
- Peritonitis
- Severe ileus
- GI bleed
When are abx indicated for life threatening abd pain?
- Suspected bacterial peritonitis or perforated viscus :
A. Broad spectrum IV abx after obtaining blood & urine cultures
What may be found on a pelvic exam w/ abd pain?
PID, ectopic pregnancy, ovarian cyst, ovarian cancer
What may be found on a DRE w/ abd pain?
- assess for presence/absence of blood in stool/rectum
(+) occult blood -> intestinal tumors, IBD, ischemic colitis, bleeding ulcers - Allows exam of prostate
A. Prostatitis, BPH, prostate nodules
What is the common hx for appendicitis?
- Classically, initial pain is poorly localized (visceral pain) in periumbilical region
- Later pain shifts to RLQ (somatic pain fibers)
- Anorexia, N/V, constipation, low grade fever may be present
What are common PE findings for appendicitis?
- Hypoactive or absent BS
- RLQ tenderness over McBurney’s point
A. Check iliopsoas , obturator, & Rovsing signs - Guarding, splinting
- (-) adnexal tenderness on pelvic exam
- Right sided tenderness on DRE
- No testicle tenderness /hernia
What dx studies are used for appendicitis?
- CBC
A. Leukocytosis w/ left shift - UA +/- WBC’s
- CT abd & pelvis w/ contrast -> Non-visualized appendix or perforated appendix
What is the treatment for appendicitis?
- STAT surgery consult, NPO, analgesia, IV fluids, IV antibiotics