Nursing 1180A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter week 5: Hematemesis, Abdominal Pain, Quadrant (Abdomen)
9 Dec 2016
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If pt has acute abdominal injury/illness, history and physical exam will be focused on the issue, and much of the history questions talked about later will be eliminated. Direct trauma to abdomen may cause organ rupture and peritonitis (severe inflammation of serous membrane). It may indicate life-threatening emergencies related to the gi, gu, or hematologic systems. Severe dehydration from vomiting, stool, emesis with decal odor, yellowing of skin, fever, pain is potentially life-threatening as well. Comprehensive history usually precedes the physical assessment and involves asking the pt about his or her health status. Broad range of questions to discern concerns associated with each organ/system in abdomen. A well-taken history can point to a diagnosis 80-90 % of the time. Food-borne illnesses affect the very young, elderly, and immunocompromised patients more seriously. The risk of food-borne illnesses increased with emerging pathogenic organisms, improper storage/preparation, increasing supply, and inadequate training of food handlers. Allergies are on the rise (particularly peanuts).
