Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following signs and symptoms provides the best evidence for ruling in acute appendicitis in adults?
Which of the following signs and symptoms provides the best evidence for ruling in acute appendicitis in adults?
- Diarrhea
- Fever below 37.0°C
- Nausea and vomiting
- Right lower quadrant pain (correct)
What is the main complication associated with acute appendicitis that can lead to severe outcomes?
What is the main complication associated with acute appendicitis that can lead to severe outcomes?
- Abscess formation
- Bowel obstruction
- Sepsis
- Perforation (correct)
In the pediatric appendicitis score, how is the right lower quadrant pain evaluated?
In the pediatric appendicitis score, how is the right lower quadrant pain evaluated?
- By observing for rebound tenderness
- By measuring leukocytosis
- By assessing for cough tenderness (correct)
- By checking for bowel sounds
What score range indicates a moderate risk of appendicitis according to the Alvarado score?
What score range indicates a moderate risk of appendicitis according to the Alvarado score?
Which sign indicates positive psoas sign during an examination for acute appendicitis?
Which sign indicates positive psoas sign during an examination for acute appendicitis?
The Appendicitis Inflammatory Response Score includes which of the following components?
The Appendicitis Inflammatory Response Score includes which of the following components?
What element is NOT part of the Alvarado score used for diagnosing appendicitis?
What element is NOT part of the Alvarado score used for diagnosing appendicitis?
What is indicated by a leukocytosis level of 10,000 per μL or more in the context of appendicitis?
What is indicated by a leukocytosis level of 10,000 per μL or more in the context of appendicitis?
What is the McBurney Point?
What is the McBurney Point?
Which sign indicates tenderness referred from the left lower quadrant to the right lower quadrant during palpation?
Which sign indicates tenderness referred from the left lower quadrant to the right lower quadrant during palpation?
What is the psoas sign and how is it elicited?
What is the psoas sign and how is it elicited?
Which sign is defined as pain elicited by abducting the right hip while the patient is lying supine?
Which sign is defined as pain elicited by abducting the right hip while the patient is lying supine?
Which clinical signs are most reliable for ruling in acute appendicitis in children?
Which clinical signs are most reliable for ruling in acute appendicitis in children?
What does the Appendicitis Inflammatory Response include?
What does the Appendicitis Inflammatory Response include?
How many total criteria are in the Alvarado scoring system?
How many total criteria are in the Alvarado scoring system?
In which groups are patients more likely to undergo CT initially because ultrasonography may be nondiagnostic?
In which groups are patients more likely to undergo CT initially because ultrasonography may be nondiagnostic?
Which criteria is specifically linked to a higher score in the Alvarado score for diagnosing appendicitis?
Which criteria is specifically linked to a higher score in the Alvarado score for diagnosing appendicitis?
Which factor is a definitive complication of acute appendicitis?
Which factor is a definitive complication of acute appendicitis?
What symptom would likely increase the Pediatric Appendicitis Score?
What symptom would likely increase the Pediatric Appendicitis Score?
What is an essential biomarker included in the Appendicitis Inflammatory Response Score?
What is an essential biomarker included in the Appendicitis Inflammatory Response Score?
Which risk category does a score of 5 on the Alvarado score indicate?
Which risk category does a score of 5 on the Alvarado score indicate?
Which clinical finding is associated with appendicitis in children but not commonly observed in adults?
Which clinical finding is associated with appendicitis in children but not commonly observed in adults?
What does a constant temperature ≥ 37.3°C indicate in the context of appendicitis?
What does a constant temperature ≥ 37.3°C indicate in the context of appendicitis?
Which physical examination technique is used to assess for pain in response to passive extension of the right thigh?
Which physical examination technique is used to assess for pain in response to passive extension of the right thigh?
What does a positive Rovsing sign indicate during an abdominal examination?
What does a positive Rovsing sign indicate during an abdominal examination?
Which of the following best describes the obturator sign?
Which of the following best describes the obturator sign?
What is the main feature of the Appendicitis Inflammatory Response compared to other scoring systems?
What is the main feature of the Appendicitis Inflammatory Response compared to other scoring systems?
Which criteria are assessed in the Alvarado scoring system?
Which criteria are assessed in the Alvarado scoring system?
How is the psoas sign effectively elicited during a physical exam?
How is the psoas sign effectively elicited during a physical exam?
Which patient demographic is more likely to undergo CT scans for appendicitis diagnosis due to nondiagnostic ultrasonography?
Which patient demographic is more likely to undergo CT scans for appendicitis diagnosis due to nondiagnostic ultrasonography?
How many total criteria does the Alvarado scoring system consist of?
How many total criteria does the Alvarado scoring system consist of?
Where is the McBurney point located?
Where is the McBurney point located?
Flashcards are hidden until you start studying
Study Notes
McBurney Point
- Located two-thirds the distance from the umbilicus to the anterosuperior iliac spine.
Key Signs in Appendicitis
- Rovsing Sign: Referred tenderness from the left lower quadrant (LLQ) to the right lower quadrant (RLQ) during palpation.
- Psoas Sign: Pain elicited by extending the hip when the patient lies prone.
- Obturator Sign: Pain elicited by abducting the right hip with the patient in a supine position.
Diagnostic Signs for Appendicitis
- Signs that reliably indicate acute appendicitis in children include:
- Absent or decreased bowel sounds.
- Positive psoas, obturator, and Rovsing signs.
Appendicitis Inflammatory Response
- Fewer symptoms compared to the Alvarado score and Pediatric Appendicitis Score.
- Incorporates C-reactive protein (CRP) as an inflammatory biomarker.
- Assesses severity of rebound pain, leukocytosis, and polymorphonuclear cells.
Eliciting Signs
- Psoas Sign: Pain occurs on passive extension of the right thigh while the patient lies on the left side.
- Obturator Sign: Pain occurs on passive internal rotation of the flexed thigh.
Demographics and Imaging
- Overweight and obese individuals are more likely to undergo CT scans due to nondiagnostic results from ultrasonography.
Alvarado Score Criteria
- Total criteria include 8 indicators, scoring as follows:
- Migration of pain (1)
- Anorexia (1)
- Nausea/vomiting (1)
- Right lower quadrant tenderness (2)
- Rebound pain (1)
- Temperature ≥ 37.3°C (99.1°F) (1)
- Leukocytosis ≥ 10,000 per µL (2)
- PMN ≥ 75% (1)
- Possible total score is 10.
Pediatric Appendicitis Score
- Adds an assessment for right lower quadrant pain during coughing, hopping, or percussion.
Risk Scoring System
- Alvarado score risk categories:
- High risk: score ≥ 7
- Moderate risk: score 4 to 6
- Low risk: score < 4
Complications of Appendicitis
- Most concerning complication is perforation, which can lead to abscesses, peritonitis, bowel obstruction, fertility issues, and sepsis.
Signs and Symptoms in Appendicitis
- In Adults:
- Right lower quadrant pain.
- Abdominal rigidity.
- Radiation of periumbilical pain to RLQ.
- In Children:
- Absent or decreased bowel sounds.
- Positive psoas, obturator, and Rovsing signs.
Evaluation Tools
- Adults: Alvarado score.
- Pediatrics: Pediatric Appendicitis score.
Summary of Alvarado Score Components
- M: Migration of pain (1)
- A: Anorexia (1)
- N: Nausea (1)
- T: Right lower quadrant tenderness (2)
- R: Rebound pain (1)
- E: Elevated temperature (1)
- L: Leukocytosis (2)
- S: Shift to the left (1)
McBurney Point
- Located two-thirds the distance from the umbilicus to the anterosuperior iliac spine.
Key Signs in Appendicitis
- Rovsing Sign: Referred tenderness from the left lower quadrant (LLQ) to the right lower quadrant (RLQ) during palpation.
- Psoas Sign: Pain elicited by extending the hip when the patient lies prone.
- Obturator Sign: Pain elicited by abducting the right hip with the patient in a supine position.
Diagnostic Signs for Appendicitis
- Signs that reliably indicate acute appendicitis in children include:
- Absent or decreased bowel sounds.
- Positive psoas, obturator, and Rovsing signs.
Appendicitis Inflammatory Response
- Fewer symptoms compared to the Alvarado score and Pediatric Appendicitis Score.
- Incorporates C-reactive protein (CRP) as an inflammatory biomarker.
- Assesses severity of rebound pain, leukocytosis, and polymorphonuclear cells.
Eliciting Signs
- Psoas Sign: Pain occurs on passive extension of the right thigh while the patient lies on the left side.
- Obturator Sign: Pain occurs on passive internal rotation of the flexed thigh.
Demographics and Imaging
- Overweight and obese individuals are more likely to undergo CT scans due to nondiagnostic results from ultrasonography.
Alvarado Score Criteria
- Total criteria include 8 indicators, scoring as follows:
- Migration of pain (1)
- Anorexia (1)
- Nausea/vomiting (1)
- Right lower quadrant tenderness (2)
- Rebound pain (1)
- Temperature ≥ 37.3°C (99.1°F) (1)
- Leukocytosis ≥ 10,000 per µL (2)
- PMN ≥ 75% (1)
- Possible total score is 10.
Pediatric Appendicitis Score
- Adds an assessment for right lower quadrant pain during coughing, hopping, or percussion.
Risk Scoring System
- Alvarado score risk categories:
- High risk: score ≥ 7
- Moderate risk: score 4 to 6
- Low risk: score < 4
Complications of Appendicitis
- Most concerning complication is perforation, which can lead to abscesses, peritonitis, bowel obstruction, fertility issues, and sepsis.
Signs and Symptoms in Appendicitis
- In Adults:
- Right lower quadrant pain.
- Abdominal rigidity.
- Radiation of periumbilical pain to RLQ.
- In Children:
- Absent or decreased bowel sounds.
- Positive psoas, obturator, and Rovsing signs.
Evaluation Tools
- Adults: Alvarado score.
- Pediatrics: Pediatric Appendicitis score.
Summary of Alvarado Score Components
- M: Migration of pain (1)
- A: Anorexia (1)
- N: Nausea (1)
- T: Right lower quadrant tenderness (2)
- R: Rebound pain (1)
- E: Elevated temperature (1)
- L: Leukocytosis (2)
- S: Shift to the left (1)
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
