Abdominal Conditions and Management Flashcards
(18 cards)
What are gallstones?
Stones that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts. They are formed when chemicals harden into a mass. May move into common bile duct causing obstructive jaundice.
What is the pain for gallstones and where would the pain be located?
Colicky pain in upper right quadrant in abdomen.
What is pancreatitis?
Inflammation of the pancreas.
What are the known factors of pancreatitis?
Alcoholism and gallstones
What is a sign of pancreatitis?
Epigastric pain radiating into back
What are the main signs of appendicitis?
-Pain on the right side of the abdomen.
-Nausea and vomiting
-Loss of appetite.
-Fever
-Constipation or diarrhea.
-Abdominal bloating
What are the causes of an upper GI bleed?
-Peptic Ulcers
-Gastritis
-Oesophageal Varices
-Neoplasms
-Inflammation of the GI lining from ingested materials.
What is a neoplasm?
An abnormal growth of tissue, also known as a tumor.
What is Malena?
Black or tarry stool
What is Malena a sign of?
Sign of bleeding from the upper digestive tract- stomach, small intestine (stomach ulcers, malignancy, medication.)
What is diveticulitis?
Pressure within large intestine causes bulging pockets of tissue to push out from walls.
What are the common signs of diverticulitis?
Lower left quadrant tenderness, fever and nausea.
What is gastrointestinal bleeding?
When bleeding occurs in any part of the gastrointestinal tract.
What would the patient be presenting with if they had diverticulitisis?
Pain may become more severe and become constant, have diarrhea less common or constipation, patients may experience mucus or blood in their stools. They may also experience rectal bleeding.
What does AAA stand for?
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
What is a AAA?
Localised weakness if aortic weakness of aortic wall with dilation.
Its swelling in the aorta, an artery that carries blood from the heart to the abdomen.
What are the signs of a AAA?
-Pulsating mass in abdomen
-Side and lower back pain, radiating into groin.
-Breathing difficulties
-Obs may be a sign of tachycardia but with a weak femoral pulse.
-Hypotensive.
When would you consider a AAA in patients over 50?
Who have sudden onset of abdominal pain or backache.
