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2

Management of Patients with Abdominal Pain in

the Emergency Department

Jim Holliman, M.D., F.A.C.E.P. Professor of Military and Emergency Medicine Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Clinical Professor of Emergency Medicine George Washington University Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A.

3

Abdominal Pain Lecture Outline

•  Recognition & resuscitation for life-threatening causes of abd. pain

•  Physical exam features •  Choosing diagnostic tests •  Initial treatment •  Differential diagnosis •  Key points about the most common

specific causes

4

Abdominal Pain : Diagnostic & Treatment Priorities

•  First : recognize presence of shock or intraabdominal bleeding

•  Second : start resuscitative measures for shock or bleeding (if these are present)

•  Third : determine if the abdomen is the source of the shock or bleeding

•  Fourth : determine if emergency laparotomy is needed

•  Fifth : complete the secondary survey (head to toe exam) ; obtain needed lab or radiographic studies

•  Sixth : Conduct frequent reassessments of the patient 5

General Approach to the Patient Presenting with Abdominal Pain

•  Evaluate & treat the ABC's (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) first in same sequence as for any other emergency patient

•  Determine if an immediate life-threatening cause of abd. pain may be present & if there is any history of possible abd. trauma

•  Start resuscitation and emergently consult a surgeon if an emergent laparotomy is needed

•  Complete the secondary survey, treat pain, and decide what other diagnostic tests will be needed

6

Immediate Life-Threatening Causes of Abdominal Pain

•  These must be recognized from the primary survey : •  Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurism (AAA) •  Rupture of the spleen or liver •  Ruptured ectopic pregnancy •  Bowel infarction •  Perforated viscus •  Acute myocardial infarction (MI)

7

Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurism (AAA)

•  More common in males > 65 years of age •  May present initially as back or groin pain •  Typically would have epigastric or periumbilical pain radiating to

back •  May present in shock from intraperitoneal rupture

(retroperitioneal rupture may initially be contained) •  Often can feel pulsating supraumbilical mass (if you can feel the

aortic pulse width > 4 cm : suspect AAA) •  Can sometimes make this Dx from lateral X-ray of abd. •  Bedside ultrasound (U/S) is best Dx test for unstable patient •  Abd. CT scan is best Dx test for stable patient (surgeon may also

want angiography preop if patient is stable)

8

Ultrasound showing 7.5 cm AAA with intraluminal clot

Source Undetermined

9

CT scan of AAA (L = lumen, T = thrombus) Source Undetermined

10

Emergency Management of Ruptured AAA

•  Oxygen & IV fluid resuscitation (normal saline or lactated Ringer's) if systolic BP < 100 mm Hg (but do not "overresuscitate" ; do not increase the BP to over 120 systolic because higher BP may cause increased bleeding)

•  Type and cross for at least 6 units of blood •  Insert foley catheter •  Obtain an electrocardiogram •  Emergently consult a surgeon •  Notify the operating room

11

Ruptured Spleen or Liver

•  Usually due to trauma, but can be spontaneous from malaria, mononucleosis, or hematologic diseases

•  Patient may present with shock ; may also have referred pain to shoulder (Kehr's sign)

•  Dx and Rx considerations & sequence same as for ruptured AAA (IV fluid, Type & cross, U/S or CT, call surgeon, etc.)

12

Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy

•  Most common cause of pregnancy-related death in U.S.A.

•  May NOT have missed menstrual period •  Typically have severe sudden onset lower abd. pain

+/- shock •  Should obtain stat serum or urine HCG test in any

female of reproductive age with abd. pain •  Pelvic U/S is Dx test of choice •  Rx : Oxygen, IV fluid (NS or LR), Type & cross at least

2 units, emergently consult surgeon or obstetrician

13

Bowel Infarction

•  Due to clot embolus or thrombosis in mesenteric artery

•  Most patients have severe coronary artery disease (this can be a post-MI complication)

•  May have "pain out of proportion to findings" (may not demonstrate much tenderness)

•  Physical exam may show signs of peritonitis, hypoactive bowel sounds, blood in rectum or guiac positive stool

14

Bowel Infarction (cont.)

•  Usual lab findings : •  High WBC •  Severe lactic acidosis (anion gap > 18)

•  Plain X-ray film findings : •  Free air, air in portal vein, air in bowel wall

("pneumatosis intestinalis") •  May need emergent angiography for Dx •  Rx : Oxygen, IV fluid resuscitation, IV broad

spectrum antibiotics, consult surgeon

15

Non-occlusive mesenteric ischemia in 84-year-old man with abdominal pain

Source Undetermined

16

Angiogram (arrow shows superior mesenteric artery clot) of a 65 year old male with bowel ischemia

Source Undetermined 17

Perforated Viscus

•  Causes : •  Blunt or penetrating trauma, tumors,

inflammaory bowel disease, typhoid fever, amebiasis, other parasites

•  Typically see free air under diaphragm on plain films (Chest X-ray is most sensitive to see small amounts of air)

•  Rx : Oxygen, IV fluids, IV broad spectrum antibiotics (such as cefoxitin & metronidazole), emergently consult surgeon

18

Free air under the diaphragm from a perforated peptic ulcer

Source Undetermined 19

Chest X-ray showing colonic interposition (NOT free air) Source Undetermined

20

Abdominal film showing the “Rigler double wall sign” of free intraperitoneal air (can see both inside and outside wall of bowel)

Source Undetermined

21

Acute Myocardial Infarction (MI) as a Cause of Abdominal Pain

•  Suspect in adult patient with upper abd. pain but no or minimal abd. tenderness

•  Inferior MI commonly presents as "indigestion" ; may also have emesis

•  MI may also secondarily occur from shock due to an intraabdominal cause (such as intraluminal bleed, etc.)

•  Dx by EKG +/- enzymes ; need Chest X-ray also •  Rx : Oxygen, IV line, nitrates, aspirin, consider

thrombolytics, etc., & admit to monitor bed unit 22

Now That Immediate Life-Threatening Causes of Abd. Pain Have Been Reviewed, Next the Lecture Will Review History and Exam for the Stable Patient

•  History items to ask the patient with abd. pain : •  Time and rapidity of onset •  Character of pain (burning, cramping, etc.) •  Associated symptoms •  Signs of bleeding (dark vomitus or stool) •  Prior surgeries & illnesses •  Last menstrual period •  Medications (especially steroids, aspirin, warfarin) •  Alcohol intake •  Unusual ingestion or foreign travel

23

Physical Exam for the Patient with Abdominal Pain

•  Need complete set of vital signs •  Look in nose and mouth for sites of bleeding

(swallowed blood may mimic an intraluminal bleed) •  Look at skin for stigmata of liver disease or signs of

coagulapathy •  Careful chest & lung exam (basilar pneumonias can

present as abd. pain) •  Palpate and observe the back •  Genital and rectal exam (& stool guiac) should usually

be routine

24

Exam of the Abdomen in the Patient with Abdominal Pain

•  Inspection : Look for : •  Scars from prior surgeries •  Distension •  Localized swelling or mass •  Eccymoses or erythema •  Visible peristalsis

•  Auscultation with stethescope •  Listen for bowel sounds & bruits

•  Palpation & percussion 25

Interpretation of Bowel Sounds (Associated, but not Definite, Diagnoses)

•  High pitched or "tinkling" : bowel obstruction •  Continuous & hyperactive : acute

gastroenteritis •  Absent : ileus or peritonitis (need to listen for

at least one minute) •  Audible without stethescope : "borborygmi"

26

Percussion of the Abdomen

•  Should tap with 2 fingers on all 4 quadrants

•  If tympanitic : implies bowel obstruction

•  If dull, implies intraabdominal bleding or fluid (such as ascites)

•  If tender, correlate with tender areas noted on palpation

27

Palpation of the Abdomen

•  Should be done following inspection & auscultation •  Assess for tenderness, guarding, mass, crepitus,

referred tenderness •  Differentiate lower rib tenderness from true upper abd.

tenderness •  Don't need to directly assess rebound ; just wiggle

abdomen from the side & check for referred tenderness (direct rebound is cruel if peritonitis is present)

•  Don't forget leg maneuvers (psoas, obturator, & heel tap signs)

28

Lab Studies for Patients with Abdominal Pain

•  Use selectively ; not all are needed for all patients

•  For example, for young adults with simple acute viral gastroenteritis or food poisoning, usually no lab studies are needed (they may just need IV fluids & parenteral antiemetics)

•  Draw with the initial venipuncture if an IV line is to be established

29

List of Lab Studies to Consider for Patients with Abdominal Pain

•  Type and Cross (the most important if patient has shock) •  Complete blood count (CBC) •  Urine or serum pregnancy test (HCG) •  Serum amylase, lipase •  Urinalysis, urine culture and sensitivity •  Liver function tests (bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT, alk. phos.) •  Electrolytes, glucose, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) •  Serum alcohol, serum or urine drug screen •  Serum medication levels (such as digoxin) •  Clotting studies (platelet count, protime, PTT, fibrinogen) •  Cardiac enzymes (if coronary ischemia suspected) •  Blood culture (if sepsis or bacteremia suspected) •  Nonemergent tumor markers (CEA, AFP)

30

Interpretation of Lab Studies for Abdominal Pain

•  WBC typically elevated (+/- "left-shifted") in any cause of peritonitis & in bowel infarction & in spleen & liver bleeding •  However often NOT elevated appropriately in :

•  the elderly •  immunocompromised patients •  patients on chronic corticosteroid Rx

31

Interpretation of Lab Studies for Abdominal Pain (cont.)

•  Hematocrit may be normal in early stages of even severe hemorrhage

•  BUN to creatinine ratio of > 20 to 1 may indicate upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed with digestion of blood in upper GI tract

•  Degree of elevation of amylase or lipase does not always correlate with severity of panceatitis or of pancreatic injury •  Amylase may also be chronically elevated in

patients with renal dysfunction 32

Plain Radiographs for Abdominal Pain

•  If needed, usually the 3 view "Acute Abdomen Series " is best (upright Chest X-ray, upright and flat plate of the abd.)

•  Chest X-ray best shows small amounts of free air •  Upright abd. film best shows bowel air-fluid levels

(indicating bowel obstruction or ileus if multiple) •  Look also for abnormal calcifications

•  "KUB" film is oriented to include all the pelvis, whereas "abd. flat plate" is oriented to include the diaphragms (so these two are different for a tall patient)

33

Diagnostic Ultrasound for Abdominal Pain

•  Dx test of choice for : •  Unstable patient in shock & suspected

intraabdominal bleed •  Gallstones (cholecystitis) •  Ectopic pregnancy •  Other complications of pregnancy

(placenta previa, abruptio, etc.) •  Renal or ureteral stones in the pregnant

patient

34

Ultrasonogram, transverse view, reveals marked thickening of gallbladder wall (white arrows), cholelithiasis with shadowing (black arrows), and pericholecystic fluid consistent with acute cholecystitis.

Source Undetermined

35

Impacted stone in distal common bile duct in elderly patient with obstructive jaundice and sepsis. Longitudinal sonogram reveals markedly dilated common bile duct (CD) from a stone (arrow) with shadowing. P, portal vein

Source Undetermined

36

Disadvantages of Diagnostic Ultrasound

•  Visualization may be limited by bowel gas or obesity

•  Good interpretation requires experience •  Not good at showing retroperitoneal

conditions •  May not directly visualize solid organ

lacerations

37

Use of Computed Tomography (CT) for Abdominal Pain

•  Noncontrast spiral scan is now method of choice for ureteral calculi (replaces intravenous pyelogram or IVP)

•  Using both IV and oral (or via nasogastric tube) contrast can then show appendicitis, diverticulitis, etc. •  However even with greater use of CT for

appendicitis, overall accuracy of this Dx in the E.D. has not improved

38

Other Diagnostic Studies to Consider for Abdominal Pain

•  If contrast CT not available : •  Gastrografin Upper GI study for suspected :

•  Stomach or bowel perforation •  Diaphragm rupture •  Duodenal hematoma

•  Never do barium GI study if any chance of barium leak (causes severe peritonitis)

•  Intravenous pyelogram (IVP) for suspected : •  Ureteral stone or injury •  Renal mass

39

Other Diagnostic Studies to Consider for Abdominal Pain (cont.)

•  Retrograde urethrogram / cystogram for suspected urethral or bladder injury

•  Fistulogram for any suspected abdominal wall fistula

•  Technetium bleeding scan to localize intraluminal GI bleed

•  Angiography for preop planning of surgery for stable patient with AAA, or for suspected arterial bleed or mesenteric ischemia

40

Acute gangrenous cholecystitis in 82-year-old woman with history of gallstones had right upper quadratic pain, nausea, vomiting, and fever. DISIDA scan demonstrated non-visualization of gallbladder (GB) and increased radioactivity in adjacent right lobe of liber (curved arrow) from reactive hyperemia.

Source Undetermined

41

Post-Exam "Procedures" to Consider for the Patient with Abdominal Pain

•  Insertion of foley catheter •  Indicated for monitoring of any unstable patient or if

urinary retention suspected •  Insertion of nasogastric (NG) tube (see next slide) •  Paracentesis (needle aspirate of abd. fluid)

•  Indicated for : •  Suspected infected ascites (check cell count &

culture) •  Relieving tense ascites •  Sometimes can make Dx of bowel perforation or

intraabd. bleed 42

Usefulness Of NG Tube Suction for the Patient with Abdominal Pain

•  Allows decompression of stomach •  Lessens risk of aspiration •  Can remove some of residual toxins in

stomach •  May demonstrate upper GI bleeding •  Required before peritoneal lavage •  Contraindicated if nasal or midface

fractures or severe coagulapathy (insert via mouth instead)

43

General Mechanisms Causing Abdominal Pain

•  Pain originating in the abdomen •  Peritonitis •  Distension of hollow viscera •  Ischemia

•  Pain referred to the abdomen from another part of the body

•  Metabolic disorders •  Neurogenic disorders

44

Acute Cholecystitis

GI Reflux

Cholocystitis

Angina

Pleuritic Pain

Pancreatic Pain

Splenic Infarct

Appendicitis

Renal Colic Diverticulitis

Sources of Referral Abdominal Pain

Lena Carleton, University of Michigan

45

Causes of Referred Abdominal Pain from Chest Conditions

•  Acute coronary syndromes (and "angina equivalents")

•  Pneumonia (especially basilar) •  Spontaneous pneumothorax •  Pulmonary embolus (rare cause) •  Pericarditis

46

Metabolic Causes of Abdominal Pain

•  Diabetic ketoacidosis •  Hyperlipidemia (often with pancreatitis) •  Acute prophyrias •  Black Widow spider bites •  Scorpion bites •  Sickle cell crisis (sequestration in spleen

or liver, or vaso-occlusive)

47

Neurogenic Causes of Abdominal Pain

•  Herpes zoster (Shingles) •  Pain often present several days before

characteristic dermatomal vesicles appear •  Thoracic or lumbar spinal disc disease or

compression •  Syphilis ("tabetic crisis")

48

Patient with Herpes Zoster (“Shingles”) of the abdomen

Preston Hunt, Wikimedia Commons

49

Trauma-Related Causes of Abdominal Pain

•  May present delayed, or from seemingly minor trauma in the elderly : •  Ruptured spleen or liver •  Bowel or stomach perforation •  Pancreatic contusion or transection •  Ruptured bladder •  Mesenteric hematoma •  Abdominal wall hematoma (U/S is good at

diagnosing this)

50

Pregnancy-Related Causes of Abdominal Pain

•  Ectopic (usually tubal) pregnancy •  False labor (Braxton-Hicks contractions) •  Active labor •  Abruptio placentae (note that placenta

previa which can cause severe bleeding is usually painless)

•  Septic abortion

51

Genitourinary Tract Causes of Abdominal Pain

•  Cystitis •  Pyelonephritis •  Ureterolithiasis •  Perinephric abscess (may see gas around kidney

on KUB film) •  Renal infarction (as from sickle cell disease) •  Psoas abscess •  Testicular torsion •  Urinary retention (as from prostatic hypertrophy)

52

Peritonitis Causing Abdominal Pain

•  Definition : inflammation of the peritoneum •  Causes : exposure of peritoneum to gastric acid, bile, urine,

blood, pancreatic enzymes, bacteria, stool, or exogenous toxins •  Complications : fluid & electrolyte disorders, "third spacing" of

fluid causing hypovolemia & shock, paralytic ileus •  Symptoms and signs : abdominal pain, rebound tenderness,

abdominal muscle guarding or rigidity, fever, emesis, decreased bowel sounds, abdominal distention

•  Key Rx : IV fluid resuscitation, IV antibiotics (usually), EARLY PAIN RELIEF WITH NARCOTICS, try to determine the most likely cause, emergently consult a surgeon

53

List of Most Common Causes of Acute Abdominal Pain in Adults

•  Acute gastroenteritis •  Acute cholecystitis

•  Acute cholangitis •  Acute appendicitis •  Acute diverticulitis •  Acute gastritis or peptic

ulcer •  Acute esophagitis

•  Acute panceatitis •  Bowel obstruction •  Inflammatory Bowel

Disease

•  Acute salpingitis (pelvic inflammatory disease)

•  Acute pyelonephritis •  Acute cystitis •  Ureterolithiasis •  Urinary retention •  Acute viral hepatitis •  Mesenteric ischemia •  Ovarian cysts •  Complications of

pregnancy

54

Caveat About Workup of Abdominal Pain in the E.D.

•  Several large studies show that even after complete workup, 60 % of E.D. patients with abdominal pain do not have a specific diagnosis

•  For most of these patients, it is appropriate just to treat their symptoms (pain meds, antispasmodics, antiemetics, etc.) and perform further diagnostic tests only if their pain does not resolve in one to 2 days

55

Acute Gastroenteritis

•  Present with nausea / emesis / diarrhea •  Usually viral or reaction to food •  If bacterial, usually have abd. tenderness +/-

lower GI bleeding •  If abd. nontender and diarrhea is nonbloody,

usually do not need lab studies •  Rx with IV LR 1 to 5 liters, oral, rectal, or

parenteral antiemetics, +/- antidiarrheals

56

Choices for AntiEmetics in the E.D.

•  My favorite : hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril) •  Antihistamine, also an antianxiety agent •  Very low incidence of side effects •  25 to 50 mg IM or PO q 6 hours

•  Promethazine (Phenergan) •  Some risk of dystonic reactions & sedation •  25 to 50 mg q 6 hours IV, IM, PO, or PR

•  Prochlorperazine (Compazine) •  40 to 50 % incidence of dystonic reactions •  10 to 25 mg q 6 hours IV, IM, PO, or PR

•  Metclopromide (Reglan) : 5 to 20 mg q 4 hrs. IV, IM, or PO

57

Choices for AntiDiarrheals in the E.D.

•  Do not use these in patients with tender abdomen or toxicity

•  Lomotil (diphenoxylate and atropine) •  2 tabs PO, then one after each diarrheal stool

up to 8 per day •  Loperamide (Imodium)

•  2 mg tabs, same dosing as Lomotil •  Codeine 15 to 60 mg PO q 4 hours •  Donnatal elixir 2 tsp PO q 6 hours (good antispasmodic)

58

Acute Cholecystits

•  Usual clinical profile is obese female > age 40 •  May cause more complications in diabetics •  Usually RUQ +/- epigastric tenderness and emesis •  U/S is best Dx test •  LFT's usually normal ; lipase & amylase elevated if secondary

panceatitis (common duct stone) •  If cholangitis (severe RUQ tenderness, fever, emesis, usually

elevated LFT's, +/- air in biliary tree on X-ray) : consult surgery emergently

•  Rx : IV fluids, NPO at first, pain meds, surgery consult unless quickly resolves

59

Gallstone ileus in 75-year-old woman with intermittent abdominal distention, nausea and vomiting for 2 weeks. Supine abdominal film shows distended small bowel loops and faint lamellated gallstone in right pelvis.

Source Undetermined

60

Emphysematous cholecystitis (arrows show gas around the gallbladder)

Source Undetermined

61

Acute Appendicitis

•  Accuracy of Dx on clinical grounds alone is not good

•  Usually periumbilical pain, then migrates to RLQ •  Usually anorexia, nausea, +/- low grade fever •  KUB film rarely shows diagnostic appendicolith in

RLQ •  U/S and CT can make definitive Dx •  Consult surgeon if suspected

62

Acute Diverticulitis

•  More common after age 45 •  Typically pain & tenderness in LLQ, but

can be diffuse •  Can result in inflammatory mass in

LLQ or perforation •  CT with contrast is best Dx test •  Milder cases can be discharged on oral

antibiotics

63

Acute Gastritis ; Peptic Ulcer

•  Typically epigastric pain & tenderness •  If perforation or severe bleeding, may

require laparotomy •  Definitive Dx by endoscopy preferred

over Upper GI contrast study, but not needed for many patients

•  Rx with H2 blockers such as ranitidine (in addition to IV fluids, etc. for severe cases)

64

Acute Pancreatitis

•  Usually diffuse abd. pain + back pain, emesis, elevated amylase & lipase

•  Often attributed to gallstones or alcohol, but many cases idiopathic

•  Can have severe complications : •  Hypovolemia, ARDS, hypocalcemia,

retroperitoneal bleeding or abscess •  CT is Dx method of choice

65

Bowel Obstruction

•  Can be either large or small bowel •  Most common causes :

•  Adhesions from prior surgery, incarcerated hernia, cancer, volvulus, mass of parasites, inflammatory bowel disease

•  Plain X-ray films are key Dx test •  If possible associated bowel necrosis

(infarction), consult surgeon emergently

66

Plain film showing small bowel obstruction from adhesions in a 72 year old male

Source Undetermined

67

Upright film showing multiple air-fluid levels from small bowel obstruction

Source Undetermined

68

Upright film of sigmoid volvulus in a 67 year old male

Source Undetermined

69

Supine film showing sigmoid volvulus in a 67 year old male

Source Undetermined 70

Upright film showing cecal volvulus in a 62 year old male

Source Undetermined 71

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

•  Two types : •  Ulcerative colitis •  Crohn's Disease

•  Ulcerative colitis can sometimes have complication of "toxic megacolon"

•  Complications of either type may need Rx with high dose IV steroids in addition to other usual Rx's

72

Acute Salpingitis (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease)

•  Typically present as severe lower abd. pain & vaginal discharge

•  Get cervical cultures as part of workup •  Usually caused by gonococcus or chlamydia,

but can involve other bacteria •  Rx : IV antibiotics, pain meds •  Admit to hospital if :

•  Toxic, pregnant, immunosuppressed, suspected tubo-ovarian abscess

73

Acute Pyelonephritis

•  Usually have dysuria & back pain & CVA tenderness, but can show projected anterior abd. tenderness

•  Admit to hospital for IV antibiotics if : •  Toxic, hypotensive, persistent emesis,

pregnant, immunosuppressed, chronic or structural renal disease, failure of outpatient Rx, diabetic, age < 2 or > 60

74

Ureterolithiasis

•  Commonly have sudden back or flank and/or abd. pain +/- groin radiation, but not much tenderness

•  Need early Rx with pain meds (parenteral NSAID such as ketorolac 30 mg IV is most effective) ; IV morphine if more analgesia needed

•  Noncontrast spiral CT is Dx method of choice •  IVP or U/S are alternatives

•  Should "cover" with antibiotic (such as Bactrim or Cipro) if any bacteria noted on urinalysis

•  Over 90 % of patients can be discharged from E.D.

75

Urinary Retention

•  Most common in elderly men with benign prostatic hypertrophy

•  Can occur also from acute prostatitis •  Rx with foley catheter •  If bladder residual > 100 cc, should leave

foley catheter in at least 24 hours to allow bladder to recover its muscle tone

•  Routine use of coverage antibiotics while foley is in is debated

76

Acute Viral Hepatitis

•  Incidence greatly decreased by use of Hep B and A vaccines

•  Typically present with nausea, emesis, +/- RUQ pain, +/- jaundice

•  Need to check serologies on close contacts of index case

•  Admit to hospital if encephalopathic, GI bleed, increased protime, hypoglycemic

77

Ovarian Cysts and Complications of Pregnancy

•  U/S is Dx method of choice for these •  Ovarian cysts typically have lower abd.

pain & lateralizing tenderness +/- adnexal mass on exam

•  If large amount of blood in pelvis or suspected ovarian torsion on U/S, emergently consult surgeon or obstetrician

78

Some Caveats About Abdominal Pain

•  Don't hesitate to treat the patient's abd. pain early, even if consulting a surgeon •  It has been definitively shown that pain meds

make the physical exam of the abd. pain patient MORE reliable

•  Don't forget to consider child abuse or trauma as a cause for abd. pain

•  Repeated physical exams over time may be needed to clarify the Dx

79

"Secondary" Aspects to Remember for Abdominal Pain

•  Oxygen if any possible major systemic compromise

•  Question patient about prior anesthetic complications if surgery anticipated

•  Additional doses of pain meds as needed •  Tetanus immunization if associated skin

injury •  Antibiotics (+/- cultures if indicated) •  Tell the patient & family what is going on

80

Abdominal Pain Summary

•  Assess the ABC's & provide emergent Rx if life-threatening cause suspected

•  Complete exam prior to deciding on other Dx tests

•  Focus on the most likely Dx's initially •  Decide early if surgical consult or

hospital admission needed •  Don't forget "secondary" treatments

81