appendicitis patient care report

Medication

ANTIBIOTICS (f) yes NON-RUPTURED appendicitis discharge to home guidelines Follow up in 2 to 3 weeks No labs or imaging unless indicated by clinical change DISCHARGE to home WITH oral antibiotics Follow up in 7 days after discharge. (See page 4)

Procedures

To help diagnose appendicitis, your doctor will likely take a history of your signs and symptoms and examine your abdomen. Tests and procedures used to diagnose appendicitis include: Physical exam to assess your pain. Your doctor may apply gentle pressure on the painful area.

Self-care

acute appendicitis and order sets can be found in the Antibiotics for Appendicitis clinical guideline. ©2016 Intermountain Healthcare. All rights reserved. Patient and Provider Publications CPM094 - 06/16 Not intended to replace physician judgment with respect to individual variations and needs. ALGORITHM: POST-DISCHARGE FOLLOW-UP

Nutrition

What are the guidelines for treatment of appendicitis?

How is appendicitis diagnosed?

Where can I find information about acute appendicitis and order sets?

How do you care for an appendicitis patient?

IMPORTANT: DO NOT APPLY HEAT TO THE APPENDICITIS PATIENT'S ABDOMEN AS THIS COULD LEAD TO RUPTURE. Prevent fluid volume deficit. If tolerated and the patient is not NPO, oral fluid intake should be encouraged, and intake and output recorded. Prevent infection.

What is nursing care plan for appendicitis?

Appendectomy is the surgical removal of the appendix. An inflamed appendix may be removed using a laparoscopic approach with laser....Desired Outcomes.Nursing InterventionsRationaleWatch closely for possible surgical complications.Continuing pain and fever may signal an abscess.9 more rows•Mar 18, 2022

What are the common clinical findings in a patient with appendicitis?

The most specific physical findings in appendicitis are rebound tenderness, pain on percussion, rigidity, and guarding. Although RLQ tenderness is present in 96% of patients, this is a nonspecific finding.

What are the nursing diagnosis for appendicitis?

Based on the assessment data, the most appropriate diagnoses for a patient with appendicitis are: Acute pain related to obstructed appendix. Risk for deficient fluid volume related to preoperative vomiting, postoperative restrictions. Risk for infection related to ruptured appendix.

How do you write a nursing diagnosis?

A nursing diagnosis has typically three components: (1) the problem and its definition, (2) the etiology, and (3) the defining characteristics or risk factors (for risk diagnosis). BUILDING BLOCKS OF A DIAGNOSTIC STATEMENT. Components of an NDx may include problem, etiology, risk factors, and defining characteristics.

How do you monitor appendicitis?

Doctors use an ultrasound as the first imaging test when checking for possible appendicitis in infants, children, young adults, and pregnant women. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) link scan takes pictures of your body's internal organs and soft tissues without using x-rays.

What are the 5 signs of appendicitis?

What are the symptoms of appendicitis?Abdominal pain or tenderness that hurts more when you cough, sneeze, inhale or move.Swollen belly.Constipation.Diarrhea.Inability to pass gas.Loss of appetite (not feeling hungry when you usually would).Low-grade fever (below 100 degrees F).Nausea and vomiting.

What is the major complication of appendicitis?

Complications of Appendicitis The main problem with appendicitis is the risk of a burst appendix. This may happen if the appendix is not removed quickly. A burst appendix can lead to infection in the belly, called peritonitis. Peritonitis can be very serious and even cause death if not treated right away.

What are the early warning signs of appendicitis?

The classic symptoms of appendicitis include:Pain in your lower right belly or pain near your navel that moves lower. This is usually the first sign.Loss of appetite.Nausea and vomiting soon after belly pain begins.Swollen belly.Fever of 99-102 F.Can't pass gas.

How does a nurse prepare a patient for appendectomy?

It is important to prepare a patient several hours pre-surgery. The patient may be dehydrated due to symptoms such as vomiting. It may be necessary to administer IV fluids. The patient's vital signs should be recorded every 2-4 hours.

How to diagnose appendicitis?

To help diagnose appendicitis, your doctor will likely take a history of your signs and symptoms and examine your abdomen. Tests and procedures used to diagnose appendicitis include: Physical exam to assess your pain. Your doctor may apply gentle pressure on the painful area. When the pressure is suddenly released, ...

What does a doctor look for in an appendix?

Your doctor may also look for abdominal rigidity and a tendency for you to stiffen your abdominal muscles in response to pressure over the inflamed appendix (guarding). Your doctor may use a lubricated, gloved finger to examine your lower rectum (digital rectal exam).

How long does it take for an appendix to heal?

Expect a few weeks of recovery from an appendectomy, or longer if your appendix burst. To help your body heal: Avoid strenuous activity at first. If your appendectomy was done laparoscopically, limit your activity for three to five days. If you had an open appendectomy, limit your activity for 10 to 14 days.

How to drain an abscess before surgery?

If your appendix has burst and an abscess has formed around it, the abscess may be drained by placing a tube through your skin into the abscess. Appendectomy can be performed several weeks later after controlling the infection.

How to control pain from medication?

Some complementary and alternative treatments, when used with your medications, can help control pain. Ask your doctor about safe options, such as: Distracting activities, such as listening to music and talking with friends, that take your mind off your pain. Distraction can be especially effective with children.

Is appendectomy better for obesity?

During a laparoscopic appendectomy, the surgeon inserts special surgical tools and a video camera into your abdomen to remove your appendix. In general, laparoscopic surgery allows you to recover faster and heal with less pain and scarring. It may be better for older adults and people with obesity.

What is the best treatment for acute appendicitis?

The gold-standard treatment for acute appendicitis is to perform an appendectomy. Laparoscopic appendectomy is preferred over the open approach. Most uncomplicated appendectomies are performed laparoscopically. In cases where there is an abscess or advanced infection, the open approach may be needed.

How long does it take for appendicitis to show symptoms?

Appendicitis is most often a disease of acute presentation, usually within 24 hours, but it can also present as a more chronic condition. If there has been a perforation with a contained abscess, then the presenting symptoms can have a slower and less painful onset.

What causes appendicitis in the intestine?

Causes. The cause of appendicitis likely stems from obstruction of the appendiceal opening or lumen. This results in inflammation, localized ischemia, perforation, and the development of a contained abscess or perforation with resultant peritonitis.

What are the complications of appendectomy?

Complications of appendicitis and appendectomy include surgical site infections, intra-abdominal abscess formation (3% to 4% in open appendectomy and 9% to 24% in laparoscopic appendectomy), prolonged ileus, enterocutaneous fistula, and small bowel obstruction.

What is the function of the appendix?

The exact function of the appendix has been a debated topic. Today it is accepted that this organ may have an immunoprotective function and acts as a lymphoid organ, especially in the younger person. Other theories contend that the appendix acts as a storage vessel for "good" colonic bacteria.

How long does it take for a right lower quadrant to perforate?

Rigid abdomen and involuntary guarding. The time course of symptoms is variable but typically progresses from early appendicitis at 12 to 24 hours to perforation at greater than 48 hours.

How to prevent fluid volume deficit?

Prevent fluid volume deficit. If tolerated and the patient is not NPO, oral fluid intake should be encouraged, and intake and output recorded. Prevent infection. Maintain a clean environment, provide wound care to the postoperative patient, and assess incision frequently for signs of infection.

What is the term for inflammation of the appendix?

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix. When the appendix becomes inflamed or infected, rupture may occur within a matter of hours, leading to peritonitis and sepsis.

Why is appendicitis at risk for infection?

A client with appendicitis is at risk for infection related to inflammation, perforation, and surgery because obstruction of the appendix causes mucus fluid to build up, increasing pressure in the appendix and compressing venous outflow drainage.

What is the best treatment for appendicitis?

Medical Management. An appendectomy (surgical removal of the appendix) is the preferred method of management for acute appendicitis if the inflammation is localized. An open appendectomy is completed with a transverse right lower quadrant incision, usually at the McBurney point.

What are the complications of appendectomy?

Complications of Appendectomy. The major complication is perforation of the appendix, which can lead to peritonitis or an abscess. Perforation generally occurs 24 hours after onset of pain, symptoms include fever (37.7°C [100° F] or greater), toxic appearance, and continued pain and tenderness.

What is paralytic ileus?

Paralytic Ileus is a mechanical bowel obstruction where in, the patients intestine fails to regain its motility. It is usually caused by surgery and anesthesia. Intusussusception, Appendicitis and Peritonitis also causes paralytic ileus. Question 30.

How long does it take for an appendectomy to be performed?

Generally, an appendectomy is performed within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of symptoms under either general or spinal anesthesia. Preoperative management includes IV hydration, antipyretics, antibiotics, and, after definitive diagnosis, analgesics. Appendectomy (surgical removal of the appendix)

What causes a ruptured appendix?

Obstruction of the appendix may increase venous drainage and cause the appendix to rupture. Obstruction of the appendix reduces arterial flow, leading to ischemia, inflammation, and rupture of the appendix. The appendix may develop gangrene and rupture, especially in a middle-aged client.

What is Appendicitis

Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a portion of the large intestine that connects to the small intestine and is attached to the beginning of the large intestine.

Causes of Appendicitis

Several causes can be attributed to appendicitis. Some of these include:

Nursing Diagnosis for Appendicitis

Imaging tests play an important role in providing clear pictures of the appendix to help determine if appendicitis is present. Some of these tests may include:

Prevention of Future Cases of Appendix Inflammation or Infection (including diet)

Once the appendix is removed, measures must be taken to prevent recurrence of the inflammation or infection.

What Is Appendicitis?

Pathophysiology

Statistics and Epidemiology

Clinical Manifestations

Complications

Assessment and Diagnostic Findings

Medical Management

Surgical Management

Practice Quiz: Appendicitis

• If appendicitis is left untreated, a complication could occur. 1. Perforation of the appendix. This is a major complication of appendicitis, which can lead to peritonitis, abscess formation, or portal pylephlebitis. 2. Perforation generally occurs 24 hoursafter the onset of pain. 3. Symptoms include a fever of 37.7⁰C or greater, a toxic appearance,...

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See Also

Diagnosis

Treatment

Lifestyle and Home Remedies

Alternative Medicine

Preparing For Your Appointment