Appendicitis for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Included In This Lesson
Study Tools For Appendicitis for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Outline
Appendicitis:
Definition/Etiology:
An appendicitis is an inflammation of the appendix. It occurs when an obstruction of the appendiceal lumen (basically the inside of the appendix), results in a decreased blood supply which, if left untreated, may progress to necrosis, perforation and peritonitis.
Pathophysiology:
The patho of an appendicitis seems to stem from an obstruction of the appendiceal lumen. The cause of this can differ in different age groups. The obstruction can be caused by infections of benign or malignant tumors and a few other uncommon causes. This obstruction can cause mucus to build up which in turn causes increased pressure. This pressure causes the wall of the appendix to become ischemic and necrotic. Bacteria grows rampant and if the appendix bursts, these organisms venture off into the peritoneal cavity and cause peritonitis.
Clinical Presentation:
Classic presentation is mild fever and periumbilical pain which moves to the right lower quadrant at McBurney’s point. It is accompanied usually by fever, and nausea and vomiting.
There are several common signs we can assess for. Rebound tenderness over McBurney’s Point. Rovsing’ sign: Rt lower quadrant pain elicited by palpation of the left lower quadrant. And one you may not be familiar with: Psoas sign: to check this, we extend the right thigh of someone lying on their back or their side with the kneed extended. Now have the patient lay flat then flex her/her right thigh at the hip, If RLQ pain results, it’s a “positive” sign.
Collaborative Management:
- Line and Labs
- NPO
- Frequent abdominal assessments
- Most will resolve on their own
- If not, obtain IV access and be ready to admin fluids
- Parenteral analgesics and antiemetics PRN
- Broad spectrum antibiotics
- Possible surgery
Evaluation | Patient Monitoring | Education:
- Hemodynamic monitoring
- Pain level
- Be aware of complete resolution of pain, could be sign of perforation
- If surgical intervention is called for, prepare patient as per your hospital policy
Linchpins: (key Points)
- Know the signs
- Inflammation
- OR ready
Transcript
For more great CEN prep, got to the link below to purchase the “Emergency Nursing Examination Review” book by Dr. Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio RN, PHD
https://greatnurses.com/
References:
- Emergency Nurses Association. (2022). Emergency Nursing Orientation 3.0. Cambridge, MA: Elsevier, Inc.
- Sheehy, S. B., Hammond, B. B., & Zimmerman, P. G. (2013). Sheehy’s manual of emergency care (Vol. 7th Edition). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Mosby.
22 Jan – 28 Feb
Concepts Covered:
- Cardiovascular
- Circulatory System
- Nervous System
- Skeletal System
- Emergency Care of the Cardiac Patient
- Neurological
- Respiratory
- Urinary System
- Respiratory System
- Endocrine System
- Studying
- Tissues and Glands
- Medication Administration
- Hematologic System
- Digestive System
- Reproductive System
- Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
- Muscular System
- Sensory System
- Basics of Human Biology
- Prefixes
- Suffixes
- Fetal Development
- Terminology
- Proteins
- Statistics
- Med Term Basic
- Med Term Whole
- Preoperative Nursing
- Integumentary Disorders
- Urinary Disorders
- Noninfectious Respiratory Disorder
- Cardiac Disorders
- Shock
- Shock
- Disorders of the Posterior Pituitary Gland
- Endocrine
- Disorders of Pancreas
- Disorders of the Thyroid & Parathyroid Glands
- Gastrointestinal
- Upper GI Disorders
- Liver & Gallbladder Disorders
- Lower GI Disorders
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Brain
- Hematologic Disorders
- Delegation
- Perioperative Nursing Roles
- Acute & Chronic Renal Disorders
- Respiratory Emergencies
- Disorders of the Adrenal Gland
- Documentation and Communication
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- Factors Influencing Community Health
- Immunological Disorders
- Oncology Disorders
- Female Reproductive Disorders
- Cognitive Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Trauma
- Intraoperative Nursing
- Vascular Disorders
- Renal Disorders
- Male Reproductive Disorders
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Infectious Respiratory Disorder
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Newborn Complications
- Peripheral Nervous System Disorders
- Communication
- Microbiology
- Emergency Care of the Trauma Patient
- Integumentary Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- EENT Disorders
- Postoperative Nursing
- Neurological Emergencies
- Disorders of Thermoregulation
- Neurological Trauma
- Basics of NCLEX
- Fundamentals of Emergency Nursing
- Integumentary Important Points
- Multisystem
- Test Taking Strategies
- Emergency Care of the Neurological Patient
- Neurologic and Cognitive Disorders
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Spinal Cord
- Renal and Urinary Disorders
- Respiratory Disorders
- Infectious Disease Disorders
- EENT Disorders
- Emergency Care of the Respiratory Patient
- Adult
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depressive Disorders
- Dosage Calculations
- Understanding Society
- Concepts of Pharmacology
- Newborn Care
- Adulthood Growth and Development
- Pregnancy Risks
- Postpartum Complications
- Substance Abuse Disorders
- Bipolar Disorders
- Learning Pharmacology
- Psychotic Disorders
- Prenatal Concepts