Appendicitis Exam 2 Questions and
Answers
Appendicitis - Answer-Inflammation of vermiform appendix
Appendicitis affects over _____ % of population. - Answer-7%
What ages is it most common to have a appendicitis? - Answer-Most common in
adolescents and young adults
Appendix - Answer--tubelike pouch attached to cecum just below ileocecal valve
-located in the right iliac region, in McBurney point
The appendix's function is - Answer--Regularly filled, emptied of digested food
Obstruction of proximal lumen - Answer-→ distention, inflammation, edema, ulceration,
infection
If a appendicitis is not treated it can cause - Answer--perforation
-peritonitis
Obstruction can be caused by - Answer--Fecalith
-Calculus
-Parasites
-Edema of lymphoid tissue
-Tumor
-Foreign body
Risk factors - Answer--Adolescent males at greatest risk
-Diets low in fiber or high in carbohydrates
-Gastrointestinal (GI) infections
Prevention - Answer--Cannot be prevented
-Certain dietary habits reduce risk
-High-fiber diet decreases incidence
Initially - Answer-continuous, mild generalized or upper abdominal pain
Over next 4 hours - Answer-pain intensifies, localizes in right lower quadrant (RLQ)
A typical appendicitis symptoms are - Answer--Aggravated by moving, walking,
coughing
-Localized, rebound tenderness on palpation
-Pain increased by extension or internal rotation of right hip
, -Low-grade fever
-Anorexia
-Nausea and vomiting
symptoms in older adults - Answer--Less acute pain, local tenderness in older adults →
delayed diagnosis
-More virulent course
symptoms in pregnant women - Answer--RLQ, periumbilical, right subcostal pain
▪Due to displacement of appendix by uterus
Complications with appedix - Answer--Perforation
-Peritonitis
-Abscess
-Chronic appendicitis
Acutely inflamed appendix can perforate within - Answer-24 hours
Admission to hospital with a possible appendicitis - Answer--IV fluids initiated
-Oral food and fluids withheld until diagnosis is confirmed
Tests to be done to determine a appendicitis - Answer-•Abdominal ultrasound
•Abdominal x-rays
•Intravenous pyelogram
•Urinalysis
•Pelvic examination
•WBC with differential
What diagnostic test is the most effective? - Answer-Abdominal ultrasound
Treatment of choice is appendectomy which can be done by - Answer--Laparoscopic
approach
-Open appendectomy by laparotomy
Pharmacologic therapy prior to therapy - Answer--IV fluids and antibiotic therapy: third-
generation cephalosporin
Antibiotic therapy needs to be repeated during surgery and continued for at least ____
hours postoperatively - Answer-48 hours
Strong analgesics withheld preoperatively to avoid masking sudden disappearance of -
Answer-pain → perforation
Children and adolescents - Answer--Uncommon in children aged <4
-Often progresses to rupture
Answers
Appendicitis - Answer-Inflammation of vermiform appendix
Appendicitis affects over _____ % of population. - Answer-7%
What ages is it most common to have a appendicitis? - Answer-Most common in
adolescents and young adults
Appendix - Answer--tubelike pouch attached to cecum just below ileocecal valve
-located in the right iliac region, in McBurney point
The appendix's function is - Answer--Regularly filled, emptied of digested food
Obstruction of proximal lumen - Answer-→ distention, inflammation, edema, ulceration,
infection
If a appendicitis is not treated it can cause - Answer--perforation
-peritonitis
Obstruction can be caused by - Answer--Fecalith
-Calculus
-Parasites
-Edema of lymphoid tissue
-Tumor
-Foreign body
Risk factors - Answer--Adolescent males at greatest risk
-Diets low in fiber or high in carbohydrates
-Gastrointestinal (GI) infections
Prevention - Answer--Cannot be prevented
-Certain dietary habits reduce risk
-High-fiber diet decreases incidence
Initially - Answer-continuous, mild generalized or upper abdominal pain
Over next 4 hours - Answer-pain intensifies, localizes in right lower quadrant (RLQ)
A typical appendicitis symptoms are - Answer--Aggravated by moving, walking,
coughing
-Localized, rebound tenderness on palpation
-Pain increased by extension or internal rotation of right hip
, -Low-grade fever
-Anorexia
-Nausea and vomiting
symptoms in older adults - Answer--Less acute pain, local tenderness in older adults →
delayed diagnosis
-More virulent course
symptoms in pregnant women - Answer--RLQ, periumbilical, right subcostal pain
▪Due to displacement of appendix by uterus
Complications with appedix - Answer--Perforation
-Peritonitis
-Abscess
-Chronic appendicitis
Acutely inflamed appendix can perforate within - Answer-24 hours
Admission to hospital with a possible appendicitis - Answer--IV fluids initiated
-Oral food and fluids withheld until diagnosis is confirmed
Tests to be done to determine a appendicitis - Answer-•Abdominal ultrasound
•Abdominal x-rays
•Intravenous pyelogram
•Urinalysis
•Pelvic examination
•WBC with differential
What diagnostic test is the most effective? - Answer-Abdominal ultrasound
Treatment of choice is appendectomy which can be done by - Answer--Laparoscopic
approach
-Open appendectomy by laparotomy
Pharmacologic therapy prior to therapy - Answer--IV fluids and antibiotic therapy: third-
generation cephalosporin
Antibiotic therapy needs to be repeated during surgery and continued for at least ____
hours postoperatively - Answer-48 hours
Strong analgesics withheld preoperatively to avoid masking sudden disappearance of -
Answer-pain → perforation
Children and adolescents - Answer--Uncommon in children aged <4
-Often progresses to rupture
