APPENDICITIS EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
In which age group is appendicitis uncommon? - Answer-children under age of 4
s/s in children for appendicitis - Answer-listlessness, inconsolability, vomiting, distended
abdomen
Which race groups have higher rates of perforation? - Answer-Black and Latino
typical s/s of appendicitis - Answer-fever, rebound or involuntary guarding, lower right
quadrant tenderness or pain
What percentage of older adults present with classical symptoms of appendicitis? -
Answer-- less than 30% present w/ classic symptoms
- 50% afebrile
- 50% no rebound or involuntary guarding
- 25% no lower right quadrant tenderness or pain
older adults with appendicitis are likely to present with... - Answer-confusion
acutely inflamed appendix can perforate within... - Answer-24 hours
food & fluids + patient admitted with possible appendicitis - Answer-IV fluids, no oral
foods & fluids (in case of surgery, wait until diagnosis confirmed)
*diagnostic tests for appendicitis - Answer-- abdominal ultrasound
- x-rays
- intravenous pyelogram
- urinalysis
- pelvic examination
- WBC w/ differential
treatment of choice for appendicitis - Answer-appendectomy
types of appendectomy - Answer-laparoscopic approach, laparotomy
pharm prior to appendectomy - Answer-IV fluids & antibiotic therapy (third-generation
cephalosporin)
antibiotic therapy time frame - Answer-repeated during surgery & continued for at least
48 hours postop
VERIFIED ANSWERS
In which age group is appendicitis uncommon? - Answer-children under age of 4
s/s in children for appendicitis - Answer-listlessness, inconsolability, vomiting, distended
abdomen
Which race groups have higher rates of perforation? - Answer-Black and Latino
typical s/s of appendicitis - Answer-fever, rebound or involuntary guarding, lower right
quadrant tenderness or pain
What percentage of older adults present with classical symptoms of appendicitis? -
Answer-- less than 30% present w/ classic symptoms
- 50% afebrile
- 50% no rebound or involuntary guarding
- 25% no lower right quadrant tenderness or pain
older adults with appendicitis are likely to present with... - Answer-confusion
acutely inflamed appendix can perforate within... - Answer-24 hours
food & fluids + patient admitted with possible appendicitis - Answer-IV fluids, no oral
foods & fluids (in case of surgery, wait until diagnosis confirmed)
*diagnostic tests for appendicitis - Answer-- abdominal ultrasound
- x-rays
- intravenous pyelogram
- urinalysis
- pelvic examination
- WBC w/ differential
treatment of choice for appendicitis - Answer-appendectomy
types of appendectomy - Answer-laparoscopic approach, laparotomy
pharm prior to appendectomy - Answer-IV fluids & antibiotic therapy (third-generation
cephalosporin)
antibiotic therapy time frame - Answer-repeated during surgery & continued for at least
48 hours postop
