APPENDICITIS TEST GUIDE QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
What provides the most important assessment? - Answer-• History
In a woman, what may be preformed? - Answer-• *Pregnancy test * to rule out an
ectopic pregnancy.
In general, a *laxative should not be given* when the person has... - Answer-• Nausea
• Fever
• Abdominal pain
Appendicitis in older adults: - Answer-*DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT CAN BE
DELAYED:*
• Uncommon
• *Pain may be absent* or minimal.
• *Fever & leukocytosis* may be absent.
The older pt may have no symptoms until.... - Answer-the appendix becomes
*gangrenous or perforated.*
• ↑ complications
• ↑ mortality
Medical management: - Answer-*Antibiotics & IV fluids are given until surgery is
preformed:*
• Prevents sepsis, fluid & electrolyte imbalance, dehydration.
Appendectomy is preformed... - Answer-as soon as possible to avoid perforation.
No improvement in outcomes, but longer hospital stays when what are used? - Answer-
• drains
Nursing interventions: - Answer-• NPO
• IV fluids, antibiotics
• Opioid analgesics
• Semi-fowler's position
• *NGT* if evidence of paralytic ileus.
Semi-fowlers position helps to... - Answer-• localize drainage in lower abdomen.
The pt with suspected appendicitis should NEVER receive... - Answer-• Laxatives
• Enemas
• Heat
AND ANSWERS
What provides the most important assessment? - Answer-• History
In a woman, what may be preformed? - Answer-• *Pregnancy test * to rule out an
ectopic pregnancy.
In general, a *laxative should not be given* when the person has... - Answer-• Nausea
• Fever
• Abdominal pain
Appendicitis in older adults: - Answer-*DIAGNOSIS & TREATMENT CAN BE
DELAYED:*
• Uncommon
• *Pain may be absent* or minimal.
• *Fever & leukocytosis* may be absent.
The older pt may have no symptoms until.... - Answer-the appendix becomes
*gangrenous or perforated.*
• ↑ complications
• ↑ mortality
Medical management: - Answer-*Antibiotics & IV fluids are given until surgery is
preformed:*
• Prevents sepsis, fluid & electrolyte imbalance, dehydration.
Appendectomy is preformed... - Answer-as soon as possible to avoid perforation.
No improvement in outcomes, but longer hospital stays when what are used? - Answer-
• drains
Nursing interventions: - Answer-• NPO
• IV fluids, antibiotics
• Opioid analgesics
• Semi-fowler's position
• *NGT* if evidence of paralytic ileus.
Semi-fowlers position helps to... - Answer-• localize drainage in lower abdomen.
The pt with suspected appendicitis should NEVER receive... - Answer-• Laxatives
• Enemas
• Heat
