Abdominal conditions Flashcards
(8 cards)
Appendicitis
right lower quadrant
Inflammation of infection in the appendix; can cause tissues to die and/or rupture.
nausea and sometimes vomiting, pain in the area of the umbilicus (initially), followed by persistent pain in the right lower quadrant (RLQ)
Peritonitis
Anywhere in the abdominal area
Irritation of the peritoneum, commonly caused by foreign material in the abdomen.
fever and other signs of infection
Cholecystitis/Gallstones
Right upper quadrant (direct); right shoulder (referred)
Inflammation of the gallbladder
Often this pain is confused with chest pain
Often caused by blockage of bile flow by gallstones
pain may be caused or worsened by ingestion of foods high in fat and can sometimes end abruptly as a stone frees itself and is passed.
Pancreatitis
Upper abdomen (Both Quadrants) back
Inflammation of the pancreas; can be caused by an obstruction gallstone, alcohol abuse, and other diseases.
pain from pancreatitis is found in the epigastric area.
serious condition, which in advanced cases can present with signs of shock.
Epigastric pain
Often referred to back and/or shoulder
Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding
Bleeding within the G I tract, from esophagus to rectum
May be minor to severe
Blood eventually exits (mouth or rectum)
Often painless
Gastric ulcers (holes in G I system from highly acidic gastric juices) can cause severe pain and peritonitis.
Dark-colored stool (maroon to black), often “tarry”
Frank blood from rectum
Vomiting “coffee-ground” appearing blood
Vomiting of frank blood
Pain can be absent to severe.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
lower part of back and lower quadrants
Swelling of the aorta caused by weak spots in the vessel walls
Ballooning or weakening of inner wall of the aorta
Tears and separates from outer layers (dissection)
Weakened vessel bulges, may continue to grow
May eventually rupture
Progressive (often sharp or tearing) abdominal pain
Frequently radiates to back
Rupture causes rapid onset of excruciating abdominal and back pain
Signs of shock usually present
Possible inequality in pedal pulses
Hernia
Anywhere in the abdominal area
A protrusion of an organ or tissue through a hole or opening into a body cavity where it does not belong; as a result of a congenital defect, a surgical wound that failed to heal, or a natural weakness in an area.
Renal Colic
Severe flank pain caused by kidney stones traveling down the ureter
Signs and symptoms
Severe pain in flank or back
Frequently radiates to groin
Nausea, vomiting
