Peritonitis Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the peritoneum?

A

the inner membrane that lines the abdominal cavity and abdominal organs

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2
Q

What are the two types of peritonitis:

A

1) spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
2) secondary peritonitis

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3
Q

What is the most common cause of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis?

A

a spontaneous infection of the ascites fluid that has built up as a result of liver or kidney failure

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4
Q

What is the most common cause of secondary peritonitis?

A

a ruptured organ in the abdomen which allows bacteria to enter the peritoneal cavity (appendicitis, pancreatitis, diverticulitis, ruptured stomach ulcer, perforated colon)

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5
Q

Other than organ rupture, give 3 other causes of secondary peritonitis:

A

1) trauma
2) GI surgery
3) peritoneal dialysis

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6
Q

Give 5 core clinical features of peritonitis:

A

1) severe abdominal pain
2) nausea and vomiting
3) loss of appetite
4) diarrhoea
5) fever

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7
Q

What is the key examination finding characteristic of peritonitis?

A

guarding/ Rebound tenderness/ Percussion tenderness

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8
Q

What dialysis finding indicates peritonitis?

A

cloudy dialysis fluid

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9
Q

Does peritonitis have an acute or chronic onset?

A

Acute

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10
Q

What are the 3 main management steps used to treat secondary peritonitis?

A

1) supportive management (analgesia, fluids, oxygen)
2) antibiotics (determined by severity and cause)
3) surgery (to remove the source of infection and control its spread)

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11
Q

What recommendation regarding dialysis use is made when a patient presents with peritoneal dialysis associated peritonitis?

A

switch to another form of dialysis until the infection has healed

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12
Q

What is peritoneal dialysis?

A

where the peritoneum is used as a natural filter of blood in end stage renal failure, where a catheter is inserted into the abdomen to introduce fluid that absorbs waste and excess fluid from the blood which is later discarded

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13
Q

What is peritonitis?

A

Inflammation of the peritoneum

  • peritoneum = serous membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen, covering the abdominal organs
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14
Q

What are the 2 main causes of peritonitis and examples of each?

A
  1. infection
  • spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
  • peritoneal infection secondary to peritoneal dialysis
  • uncomplicated appendicitis
  1. perforation of a hollow viscus
  • perforated oesophagus
  • perforated gastric or duodenal ulcer
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15
Q

What should be initiated in patients with suspected peritonitis?

A

SEPSIS 6

  • due to being systemically very unwell
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16
Q

What are some differential diagnosis for peritonitis?

A
  • gastroenteritis
  • Pancreatitis
  • Cholecystitis
  • Appendicitis
  • Diverticulitis
17
Q

What are the complications of peritonitis?

A
  • sepsis
  • local abscess
  • death