The Acute Abdomen Flashcards Preview

Alimentary System > The Acute Abdomen > Flashcards

Flashcards in The Acute Abdomen Deck (14)
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1
Q

What things should you consider with acute abdominal pain?

A

Peritonitis
Intestinal obstruction
Abdominal pain

2
Q

How many layers does the peritoneum have?

A

2

3
Q

What are potential routes of infection for peritonitis?

A

Perforation of the GI/biliary tract
Female genital tract
Penetration of abdominal wall
Haematongeous spread

4
Q

What is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction?

A

Cancer

5
Q

What are the cardinal features of intestinal obstruction?

A
  • Pain
  • Vomiting
  • Distension
  • Constipation
  • Borborygmi
6
Q

What is borborygmi?

A

Rumbling or gurgling noise made by the movement of fluid and gas in the intestines

7
Q

What does the symptoms of intestinal obstruction depend on?

A

Size

8
Q

What characters of pain are there?

A

Visceral
Somatic
Referred

9
Q

What type of pain normally presents with systemic symptoms?

A

Visceral pain

10
Q

What type of pain usually presents without systemic symptoms?

A

Somatic

11
Q

What is the management of the acute abdomen?

A
o	Assess (+resuscitate)
o	Investigate 
o	Observe
o	Treat
o	History 
o	Examination 
o	Investigation
12
Q

What ward tests should be carried out for the acute abdomen?

A

Urine

13
Q

What lab tests should be carried out for the acute abdomen?

A

FBC
U+E
LFT

14
Q

When is active observation useful?

A

When a diagnosis is uncertain and the risk of alternative intervention is greater