GRADED
1. General Abdominal Pain Evaluation
Q: What are the key components of a history for a patient (e.g., Karen Floyd) presenting with
abdominal pain?
A: Use the OPQRST or OLDCARTS mnemonics:
• Onset (sudden vs. gradual)
• Location (RLQ, epigastric, diffuse)
• Duration (acute vs. chronic)
• Character (cramping, sharp, dull)
• Aggravating/Alleviating factors (food, movement)
• Radiating pain (e.g., back, shoulder)
• Timing (constant vs. intermittent)
• Severity (scale 1-10)
• Associated symptoms (nausea, fever, diarrhea)
2. Differential Diagnosis by Location
Q: Karen Floyd, a 32-year-old woman, has right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain. What are the top 3
differentials?
A:
1. Appendicitis (McBurney’s point tenderness, fever, anorexia)
2. Ovarian pathology (ruptured cyst, torsion, ectopic pregnancy)
3. Diverticulitis (if cecum involved, though more common in LLQ)
3. Red Flags in Abdominal Pain
Q: What findings in Karen Floyd’s case would warrant immediate surgical consultation?
A:
, • Peritonitis (rigid abdomen, rebound tenderness, guarding)
• Hypotension/shock (ruptured ectopic, AAA)
• Obstruction (distension, vomiting, absent bowel sounds)
• Melena/hematochezia (GI bleed)
4. Case Study: Karen Floyd (Possible Appendicitis)
Q: Karen Floyd presents with 24 hours of periumbilical pain migrating to RLQ, nausea, and low-
grade fever. What diagnostic steps would you take?
A:
1. Labs: CBC (↑WBC), CRP, urinalysis (rule out UTI).
2. Imaging:
o Ultrasound (first-line for women of childbearing age to rule out ovarian causes).
o CT abdomen/pelvis (if diagnosis unclear; shows appendiceal
thickening/abscess).
3. Alvarado Score (clinical prediction tool for appendicitis).
5. GI vs. Gynecologic Pain
Q: How would you differentiate ovarian torsion from appendicitis in a woman like Karen Floyd?
A:
Feature Ovarian Torsion Appendicitis
Onset Sudden, severe pain Gradual, starts periumbilical → RLQ
Associations Adnexal mass, nausea/vomiting Fever, anorexia, McBurney’s tenderness
Diagnostics Pelvic ultrasound (absent blood flow) CT/US: Dilated appendix
6. Pediatric Consideration
Q: If Karen Floyd were a 10-year-old child, how might appendicitis present differently?
A: