Evaluating Abd Pain Flashcards
What is the most sensitive physical exam finding for cholecystitis?
Murphy’s sign
A patient with RUQ pain has a RUQ US + for gal stones and normal labs. What should you do?
Watch and wait. Cholelithiasis is not emergent, but if it becomes cholecystitis, the patient will need surgery.
A patient with RUQ pain has a + RUQ US and abnormal labs. What should you do next?
Send to ER if not at the ER, general surgery consult.
What labs should be included in your cholecystitis work up?
CBC, CMP (lipase)
Do most patients with cholecystitis have fever?
No, only 35%.
What is on your differential diagnosis for epigastric pain?
PUD, GERD, esophagitis, gastric/esophageal cancer, biliary disease, gastritis, pancreatitis, medication SE, ACS, AAA.
What are the most common causes of dyspepsia?
GERD and PUD make up 40% of cases.
Is the pain from a duodenal ulcer relieved or exacerbated by eating?
Relieved
Is the pain from a gastric ulcer relieved or exacerbated by eating?
Exacerbated.
What signal nodes may be found on physical exam in gastric cancer?
Virchow’s nodes
What signal nodes my be found on physical exam in pancreatic cancer?
Sister Mary Joseph nodes
What physical exam finding commonly associated with diabetes can also be a sign of malignancy?
Acanthosis nigricans
What is the gold standard test for H. pylori?
Urea breath test
What medications must be discontinued prior to H. pylori testing?
PPIs for 1-2 weeks prior to testing
Bismuth 4 weeks prior to testing
Antibiotics 4 weeks prior to testing
What is the triple therapy for H. pylori? How effective is it?
PPI + clarithromycin 500mg BID x 14 days + amoxicillin 1gm BID x 14 days
It is 75% effective
What is the quadruple therapy for H. pylori?
Bismuth + tetracycline 500mg QID + metronidazole 500mg TID + prilosec 20mg BID
How long does it take for most duodenal ulcers to heal?
4 weeks
How long does it take for most gastric ulcers to heal?
8 weeks
What is the most common cause of prancreatitis?
Cholelithiasis (40% of cases)
What lab findings would you expect to see in prancreatitis?
Lipase 3x nl
Amylase 3x nl
Leukocytosis 15-20k is not unusual