How do you assess for acute abdomen?

The American College of Radiology has recommended different imaging studies for assessing abdominal pain based on pain location. Ultrasonography is recommended to assess right upper quadrant pain, and computed tomography is recommended for right and left lower quadrant pain.

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How do you describe an abdominal physical exam?

Documentation of a basic, normal abdominal exam should look something along the lines of the following: Abdomen is soft, symmetric, and non-tender without distention. There are no visible lesions or scars. The aorta is midline without bruit or visible pulsation.

What are you inspecting when looking at the abdomen?

The inspection of the abdomen includes looking for scars, striae, venous pattern, rashes, contour, symmetry, masses, peristalsis, and pulsations.

What is considered an acute abdomen?

The ‘acute abdomen’ is defined as a sudden onset of severe abdominal pain developing over a short time period. It has a large number of possible causes and so a structured approach is required.

What is considered acute abdomen?

What is the most common diagnosis for acute abdominal pain?

Some of the most common causes of abdominal pain are appendicitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, diverticulitis, and small bowel obstruction.

What is normal percussion of abdomen?

Normal findings on percussion include tympany over the stomach, epigastric area, and upper midline, and dullness over the liver, a full bladder, a pregnant uterus and the left lower quadrant over the sigmoid colon (if the patient is ready to have a bowel movement).

What do high pitched bowel sounds indicate?

Increased (hyperactive) bowel sounds can sometimes be heard even without a stethoscope. Hyperactive bowel sounds mean there is an increase in intestinal activity. This may happen with diarrhea or after eating.

What are the possible causes of acute abdomen?

Acute abdomen is a condition that demands urgent attention and treatment. The acute abdomen may be caused by an infection, inflammation, vascular occlusion, or obstruction. The patient will usually present with sudden onset of abdominal pain with associated nausea or vomiting. Most patients with an acute abdomen appear ill.

What are the symptoms of acute abdomen?

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What is the correct order for abdominal assessment?

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Identify the patient.

Briefly explain the reason for and the steps of the examination and take consent from the patient.

Inquire if the patient has any pain.

Position the patient.

The ideal exposure is from the nipples to the knees,but this is sometimes not practically possible.

What is the Order of abdominal exam?

Psoas sign – pain with extension of the hip and tensing of the psoas muscle

Obturator sign – pain when tensing the obturator muscle

Rovsing’s sign – pain in the right lower abdominal quadrant on palpation of the left side of the abdomen

McBurney’s sign – deep tenderness at McBurney’s point

Carnett’s sign – pain when tensing the abdominal wall muscles