Knowledge Objective 2.

Acute abdomen is a medical term referring to the sudden onset of abdominal

pain, often associated with severe, progressive problems that require medical attention. Peritonitis will
usually develop if the acute abdomen is not treated can be fatal.
Knowledge Objective 4. Because the nerves that monitor the visceral peritoneum are not as precise as
the ones that monitor the parietal peritoneum, a patientwill not be able to localize and describe exactly
where the pain is. Some painful sensations that occur because of an irritated viceral peritoneum may be
perceived at a distant point on the surface of the body, such as the back or shoulder. his is referred to
as referred pain.
Knowledge Objective 7. Causes of Acute abdomen
1.Ulcers! Protective layers of mucus that line the inside of the stomach and the duodenum are erroded,
allowing acid to eat into the organ over a course of weeks, months and even years. "an caused by
Helicobacter pylor and excessive use of nonsteriodal anti#inflammatory drugs. $lcohol and smoking
can worsen the severity of P%& by increasing gastric acidity.
Signs and symptoms
Burning'gnawing stomach pain that subsides or diminishes immediantly after eating and the reemerges
( to ) hours later. he pain usually presents in the upper abdomen, bu sometimes below the sternum.
*ausea, vomiting, belching and heart burn are common symptoms. +f the erosion is servere,
hematemesis and melena can occur.
(.Gallstone! ,allstones can form in the gallbladder, blocking the outlet from the gallbladder, causing
pain. Sometimes the blockage will pass, but if not, it can lead to severe inflammation of the gallbladder,
called cholecystitis. +n severe cases, the gallbladder may rupture, causing inflammation to spread and
irritate surrounding structures such as the diaphragm and bowel.
Signs and symptoms
"onstant, severe pain in the right upper or midabdoinal region and may refer to the right upper or
midabdominal region and may refer to the right upper back, shoulder area, or flank. he pain may
steadily increase for hours or come and go. "holecysitis commonly produces symptoms about )-
minutes after a particularly fatty meal and usually at night. ,eneral gastrointestinal distress such as
nausea and vomiting, indigestion, bloating, gas and belching.

).Pancreatitis!inflammation of the pancreas that can be caused by an obstructing gallstone, alcohol
abuse, and other diseases.
Signs and symptoms
Severe pain may present in the upper left and right quadrants and may often radiate to the back. *ausea
and vomiting, abdominal distention and tenderness. "omplications like sepsis or hemorrhage can occur,
in which case, an assessment may reveal fever or tachycardia.
..Appendicitis inflammation of the appendix and a frequent cause of acute abdomen. his
inflammation can eventually cause the tissue to die and'or rupture causing an abcess, peritonitis or
shock.
Signs and symptoms!
Pain caused by appendicitis is more generalized, dull and diffuse and may center in the umbilical area.
he pain later localizes to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen. "an cause referred pain, nausea
and vomiting, anorexia, fever, and chills, rebound tenderness.
/.Gastrointestinal !emorr"age Bleeding within the gastrointestinal tract which a symptom of
another disease, not a disease itself. "an occur in the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract. Bleeding in
the upper gastrointestinal tract occurs from the esophagus to the upper small intestine. Bowel
inflammation, diverticulitis, and hemorrhoids are common causes of bleeding in the lower
gastrointestinal tract.
0.#sop"agitis! occurs when the lining of the esophagus becomes inflamed by infection or from the
acids in the stomach.
Signs and symptoms
patient may report pain with swallowing and complain of feeling like an ob1ect is stuck in his or her
throat. $dditional symptoms include heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and sores in the mouth. +n the worst
cases, bleeding can occur from the small capillary vessels within the esophageal lining or the main
blood vessels.
2.#sop"ageal $arices occurs when the amount of pressure within the blood vessels surrounding the
esophagus increases. he esophageal blood vessels eventually deposit their blood into the portal
system. +f the liver becomes damaged and blood cannot flow through it easily, blood begins to back up
into portal vessels, dialating the vessels and causing the capillary network of the esophagus to begin
leaking. +f the pressure begins to build, the vessel walls may fail, causing bleeding.
Signs and symptoms: Presentation of the esophageal varices take on two forms! +nitially, the patient
shows signs of liver disease 3 fatigue, weight loss, 1aundice, anorexia, edema in the abdomen,
abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. his very gradual process takes months to years before the
patient reaches a state of extreme discomfort.
4upture of the varices is far more sudden. he patient will complain of sudden#onset discomfort in the
throat. 5e'she may have severe difficulty swallowing, vomiting of bright red blood, hypotension, and
signs of shock. +f the bleeding is less dramatic, hematemisis and melena are likely.
6.Gastroenteritis $ family of conditions revolving around a central theme of infection combined with
diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Bacterial and viral organisms can cause this condition. hese organisms
typically enter the body through contaminated food or water.
Signs and symptoms
%pset stomach, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, large dumping#type diarrhea or frequent small liquid stools.
he diarrhea may ontain blood and'orpus and it may have a foul odor or be odorless. $bdominal
cramping is frequently reported. 7ever and anorexia are also present. +f the diarrhea continues,
dehydration can occur, possibly causing shock.
8.%iverticulitis Bacteria causing inflammation in the diverticula caused by a fiber deficiency. , caused
by feces that become trapped there.
Signs and symptoms
$bdominal pain typically localized to the left side of the lower abdomen. "lassic signs of infection
include fever, malaise, body aches, chills, nausea, and vomiting. "onstipation and bowel obstruction
can occur.
9-.!emorr"oids created by swelling and inflammation of the blood vessels surrounding the rectum.
Signs and symptoms
bright red blood during defecation though the bleeding tends to be minimal. Patients may experience
itching and a small mass on the rectum.