Peritonitis Flashcards
peritonitis
inflm of the peritoneum which interferes with normal Fx of affected organs
peritoneum
serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity
etiology
- bacterial infection (E. coli)
- chemical agent (bile, gastric acid)
- pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- iatrogenic
how does PID cause peritonitis
bacteria migrates up the reproductive tract and into the body cavity causing infection and inflm
pathology
- agent impacts peritoneum causing inflm
- peritoneum is richly vascularized which allows bacteria to spread easily and absorb rapidly
- exudate is thick and sticky which seals the perforation so less/no content leaks into the gut and restricts the spread of bacteria and inflm
compensatory SNS response to peritonitis
dec GI motility to reduce the spread of content through the perforation in the gut
mnfts
- ascites
- fluid shifts into bowel & abdm cavity
- ileus
- fever, pain
- vomiting (local mnft)
- dyspnea
ascites occurs due to…
inflammatory symptoms, vasodilation & hyperemia which causes fluid to move out of the body cavity
fluid shifting into the bowel & abdm cavity can cause what to happen
third spacing
ileus
cessation of peristalsis
dyspnea occurs due to…
body limits breathing because the diaphragm keeps pushing on the inflamed peritoneum
tx
- pt NPO
- IV Abx
- NG suction
- fluids & electrolytes
- anti-inflammatories
- analgesics (for pain)
- Sx if indicated
why is pt NPO
- prepare for Sx
- food initiates peristalsis which can cause more gut contents to push out (chemicals, bile, bacteria released, etc…)
why NG suction needed
to ensure nothing is in the gut
