NR 511 Week 4 Midterm Study Guide

Appendicitis -Most common between 10-30yrs; but can occur at any age; rare in infants and older adults -men more at risk - Diets low in fiber, high in fat, refined sugars, & other carbs at increased risk. - Obstruction of appendix is cause of majority of appendicitis - contributing factors: Intra-abdominal tumors, positive family hx - Recent roundworm infection or viral GI infection -Dx made clinically, based primarily on H&P exam - Classic presentation includes acute onset of mild to severe colicky, epigastric, or periumbilical pain - Pain is vague at first then localizes within 24hrs to RLQ - Pain exacerbated by walkingcoughing - Men may feel radiated pain in testes - Abd muscle rigidity, NV, anorexia - Mildly elevated temp 99-100F common - If RLQ accompanied by shaking chills, perforation should be suspected - Older adults may present with weakness, anorexia, abd distention, mild pain leading to delayed dx and increased morbidity. -May have HTNtachy proportional to painsymptoms -When lying flat, may flex R knee to relieve tension in abd muscle -Pain with palpation in abd, diffuse in early stages. Localized to RLQ later -Positive for rebound pain; ask pt to cough to localize pain location -Sudden cessation of pain means perforation and is ER -Labs are not diagnostic and nonspecific -Women should have urine human chorionic gonadotrophin to ro ectopic pregnancy - +Rovsing’s Sign- deep palpation & release in LLQ causes rebound pain in RLQ - +Psoas Sign- lift R leg against gentle pressure causes pain - +Obturator Sign- flex R hip & knee and slowly rotate internally causes pain - +McBurney’s Sign- pain with pressure applied to point between umbilicus & ilium - x-rayCT helpful when paired with positive H&P findings -Surgical; preoperative care, NPO, correction of fluidelectrolyte imbalances -Avoid narcotics -Atb with 3rd gen cephalosporin; Ex: ampicillin, gentamycin, flagyl