Adult Health

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Weakening of vessel walls of aorta, blood filled bulge in abdo aorta (aneurysm)

Without intervention AAA

Can expand aneurysum, eventually rupture and can cause massive hemorrhage or even death

AAA Dx

Abdo ultrasound or CT scan

Risk factors for developing AAA

Smoking, hypertension, atherosclerosis, advanced age, male sex

clinical manifestation of AAA

majority of clients are asymptomatic.

most dx during screening ultrasonography or incidental imaging.
pulsatile abdo mass

low BP, high HR, signs of hypovolemic shock

AAA rupture

Multiple blood transfusions

IV bolus

Immediate surgery (abdo aortic aneurysm resection)

AAA Rupture postoperatively

Monitor peripheral pulses distal to the graft site.

urine out put hourly

limit heavy lifting

stable, growing AAA with risk of rupture

endovascular or closed repair of the aneurysm to prevent rupture.

for pts who dont need immediate surgery of AAA

we want them to modify risk factors, plus follow up and imaging

clients with know, stable AAA

need to know s/s to report. sudden/ severe back or abdo pain

Abdominal Hernia

Protrusion of abdominal contents through an opening in abdo wall.

Types of hernias

umbilical hernia, incisional hernia, inguinal hernia (groin)

Umbilical Hernia

midline protrusion, often reducible, common in children, can occur after birth if umbilicus was failed to close fully. in most causes this can resolve on its own, spontaneously.

In adults, can be caused by weak rectus muscles (common in obesity), or IAP increased intra abdo pressure

Incisional Hernia

Occurs at prior site of surgical incision.

More commonly in obesity, multiply surgeries in the same spot, poor wound healing ( poor nutrition), or infection.

Inguinal Hernia

Weakening of the lower abdo muscles or fascia. more likely in males. Intestines can go all the way down to the scrotum.

Risk factors related to IAP.

Palpatable bulge in groin, worse with standing.