Peritonitis - Pancreatitis

to rule out structural problems or tumors

Why is a CT scan needed in the diagnosis of peritonitis?

to relieve distention

Why is a gastric or intestinal decompression included in the treatment for peritonitis?

semi-fowler's position

What position must a patient with peritonitis be in, in order to facilitate breathing, prevent respiratory complications, and aid in localizing purulent discharges.

paralytic ileus

This is a common complication of peritonitis.

strangulated hernia

A cause of intestinal obstruction in which the intestine pushes outward and twists.

volvulus

A cause of intestinal obstruction in which the bowel protrudes and twists.

intussusception

A cause of intestinal obstruction in which the intestine folds into the section immediately ahead of it.

due to abdominal distention

Why is there respiratory difficulty in an intestinal obstruction?

edematous and deep red to dusky in color

What is the appearance of a new stoma?

meperidine (demerol)

What is the analgesic drug of choice in an intestinal obstruction?

hemorrhoids

There are dilated portions of veins in the anal canal. Also called as varicose veins of the rectum.

acute hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoid that is also referred to as thrombosed hemorrhoid and is actually a hematoma.

chronic hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoid in which the skin tag consisting of folds of anal skin and a few blood vessels.

rubber band ligation

A treatment used for hemorrhoids in which the blood supply is cut off in order for the hemorrhoid to peel off.

sclerotherapy

A treatment used for hemorrhoids in which a drug injected into hemorrhoidal vein to stop bleeding and eventually shrink.

hemorrhoidectomy

It is the common management treatment for hemorrhoids.

liver cirrhosis

It is an irreversible, progressive deterioration of the liver that results from chronic liver disease.

portal hypertension

An objective symptom of liver cirrhosis in which there is a increase in pressure in the portal vein.

caput medusae

A symptom of portal hypertension in which there are swelling veins over the abdomen.

spider angioma

A symptom of portal hypertension in which there are swelling of capillaries usually on the legs.

estrogen

What hormone is increased in males if there is portal hypertension?

androgen

What hormone is increased in females if there is portal hypertension?

asterixis

A flapping tremor of the hands.

liver biopsy

What diagnostic test confirms the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis?

cyclosporine

A patient is post-op liver transplantation, the nurse should educate the patient to take this medication for life in order to prevent rejection of the new liver.

right quadrant or flank pain

A sign of liver rejection, indicating that the liver is swollen.

back to umbilicus

The nurse wants to monitor abdominal distention by measuring the abdominal girth, what is the correct way of measuring the abdominal girth?

cholelithiasis

It refers to the presence of gallstones within the gallbladder or in the biliary tract.

choledocholithiasis

It refers to the presence of stones in the common bile duct.

cholecystitis

It refers to the inflammation of the gallbladder commonly associated with cholelithiasis in 90 to 95% of cases.

pigment stone

A gallstone that is black and brown in color, made from bilirubin and calcium.

cholesterol stone

A gallstone that is yellowish in color.

female, fat, fair, forty, and fertile

What are the predisposing factors in the disorders of the gallbladder?

Murphy's sign

An assessment finding in which RUQ pain increases with palpation of right upper abdomen during inspiration.

tea-colored

What is the color of urine if there is a disorder of the gallbladder?

extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy

A nonsurgical method of the removal of gallstones.

brown-colored stool

A return of this is an indication that bile is flowing and entering the small intestine.

acute pancreatitis

A type of pancreatitis in which pancreatic enzymes are activated in the pancreas rather than the duodenum, resulting in tissue damage and autodigestion of the pancreas.

chronic pancreatitis

A type of pancreatitis resulting in fibrosis and calcification of the pancreas, obstruction of the ducts, and destruction of the secreting acinar cells.

Turner's sign

A assessment finding of pancreatitis in which there is bruising in the flanks.

Cullen's sign

A assessment finding of pancreatitis in which there is bluish discoloration around the umbilicus.

elevated serum amylase, lipase, glucose, AST, lipid levels

What confirms the diagnosis of pancreatitis?

sequential compression device

What device is used to prevent blood clot formation in pancreatitis?

steatorrhea

It refers to fats that are not emulsified, leading to separation of oil and formed stool.

acetylsalicylic acid

What medication must be avoided in liver cirrhosis as it can cause irritation that leads to bleeding?