ch 26 abdominal emergencies

Question 1

is a specific diagnosis important for treating abdo emergencies?

Answer 1

no, most treatments are the same.

Question 2

abdomen is region between….

Answer 2

diaphragm and pelvis

Question 3

list solid organs

Answer 3

spleen liver pancreas and kidneys

Question 4

list hollow organs

Answer 4

stomach, gallbladder duodenum large and small intestines and bladder

Question 5

peritoneum

Answer 5

membrane lining the abdominal cavity that also covers each organ

Question 6

parietal peritoneum

Answer 6

is attached to the abdo wall

Question 7

visceral peritoneum

Answer 7

covers each organ

Question 8

what organs are in the retroperitoneal space

Answer 8

kidneys pancreas and part of the aorta

Question 9

what organs are inferior to the peritoneum

Answer 9

bladder and part of the rectum

Question 10

female reproductive organs in the abdomen and pelvis

Answer 10

ovaries fallopian tubes uterus

Question 11

largest blood vessels in the abdomen

Answer 11

aorta inferior vena cava hepatic, spleinc, and iliac arteries

Question 12

visceral pain

Answer 12

originates from the organs in abdomen

Question 13

why is visceral pain often diffused?

Answer 13

fewer nerve endings in organs

Question 14

pain from hollow organs feels like…

Answer 14

intermittent, crampy, or colicky (sudden, severe, waves)

Question 15

pain from solid organs feels like…

Answer 15

persistent/constant

Question 16

parietal pain

Answer 16

originates from the parietal peritoneum

Question 17

why is parietal pain easier to locate?

Answer 17

more nerve endings

Question 18

parietal pain feels like…

Answer 18

sharp and localized

Question 19

where does tearing pain originate

Answer 19

aorta or stomach

Question 20

what is tearing pain indicative of?

Answer 20

separation of layers in aorta (aneurysm) or ulcers in the stomach

Question 21

why would aortic pain be in the back?

Answer 21

the aorta in retroperitoneal

Question 22

referred pain

Answer 22

perception of pain in skin/muscles in a distant location

Question 23

why does referred pain happen??

Answer 23

abdomen has a lot of nerves from different parts of the nervous system

nerve pathways overlap on return to the spinal cord

pain is transmitted from one body system to another

(brain intercepts pain signals incorrectly)

Question 24

appendicitis

Answer 24

infection of the appendix

Question 25

symptoms of appendicitis

Answer 25

nausea pain in umbilical region and RLQ pain

Question 26

symptoms of a ruptured appendix

Answer 26

sudden increase in pain peritonitis

Question 27

peritonitis

Answer 27

irritation of peritoneum

Question 28

symptoms of peritonitis

Answer 28

abdo pain and rigidity

Question 29

cholecystitis/gallstones

Answer 29

inflammation of the gallbladder

Question 30

what causes cholecystitis

Answer 30

blockage of bile flow by gallstones

Question 31

what worsens cholecystitis

Answer 31

eating fatty foods

Question 32

symptoms of cholecystitis

Answer 32

RUQ or epigastric (between ribs and belly button) pain, pain in shoulder

Question 33

pancreatitis

Answer 33

inflammation of the pancreas

Question 34

what is a common cause of pancreatitis

Answer 34

alcohol abuse

Question 35

symptoms pancreatitis

Answer 35

epigastric pain, pain in back/shoulder

Question 36

GI bleeding

Answer 36

bleeding in GI tract, esophagus to rectum

Question 37

is GI bleeding painless?

Answer 37

often yes

Question 38

are gastric ulcers painless?

Answer 38

no

Question 39

what are gastric ulcers

Answer 39

holes in GI system from acidic gastric juices

Question 40

ulcer

Answer 40

open sore

Question 41

symptoms of GI bleeding

Answer 41

dark tarry stool, blood from rectum, coffee ground vomit, bloody vomit

Question 42

abdominal aortic aneurysm

Answer 42

ballooning of the inner wall of the aorta, tearing from outer layers of the aorta, can lead to a rupture

Question 43

AAA symptoms

Answer 43

sharp/tearing pain in abdomen, can radiate to back, signs of shock, inequality of pedal pulses

Question 44

hernia

Answer 44

hole in the muscle layer in abdominal wall, allows tissues or parts of organs to protrude against the skin

Question 45

what often causes hernias

Answer 45

heavy lifting

Question 46

symptoms of hernia

Answer 46

sudden abdo pain, lump on abdominal wall or crease of groin

Question 47

renal colic

Answer 47

kidney stones traveling down the ureter

Question 48

symptoms of renal colic

Answer 48

pain in flank/back that radiates to groin, nausea

Question 49

always consider the possibility of a ______ ______ that presents as abdo pain

Answer 49

cardiac emergency

Question 50

ectopic pregnancy

Answer 50

fertilized embryo implants outside of the uterus

Question 51

what can ectopic pregnancy lead to

Answer 51

rupture and internal bleeding

Question 52

what questions should you ask a female patient experiencing abdo pain

Answer 52

questions related to menstrual cycle, possibility of pregnancy and use of birth control

Question 53

geriatric abdo pain is more likely to be...

Answer 53

life-threatening

Question 54

what are you looking for when visually examining the abdomen

Answer 54

distention discoloration and protrusions

Question 55

what are you looking for when palapating the abdomen

Answer 55

rigidity pain response and guarding (tensing of abdo muscles to protect injured area)

Question 56

never give a patient with abdo pain any medication via...

Answer 56

mouth

Question 57

what is the LLR position?

Answer 57

left lateral recovery position, keeps stomach lower and reduces risk of aspiration