Pathophysiology
Risk Factors
Signs and Symptoms
Diagnostic Criteria
Oh no!!
100
What is appendicitis?
Inflammation of the appendix
100
Which gender is more likely to develop appendicitis
Males
100
Name one thing a nurse can do for a patient experiencing appendicitis.
Promoting comfort, maintaining hydration, providing emotional support, provide client teaching, supporting respiratory comfort, preventing infection and providing care for surgical site, and monitoring symptoms indicating infection.
100

What lab is used to rule out appendicitis?

CBC

100

Sudden improvement in appendicitis pain prior to surgery can indicate what serious complication?

Ruptured appendix

200
Where is the appendix located?
The lower right abdomen (at the junction of the small and large intestine)
200
True or False: A nurse should not be considerate of a person's preferences regarding diet when constructing a care plan
False
200
Name one sign/symptom of appendicitis.
Nausea, vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain
200
What type of imaging tests might be used to diagnose appendicitis?
Abdominal x-ray, abdominal ultrasound, CT scan
200

High fever following an appendectomy is ususally indicative of which complication?

peritonitis

300
True or false: Obstruction of the lumen causes a decrease in pressure in the appendix.
False
300
True or False: Cultural factors may influence the progression of appendicitis
True
300
After an appendectomy, what is one of the most important things to watch for and prevent?
Infection
300
True or False: It is not important to diagnose appendicitis quickly, as long as it is diagnosed within a year.
False
300

A postop appendectomy patient develops sudden tachycardia, fever and hypotension. What complication is the nurse concerned about?

Septic shock

400
What causes appendicitis?
Obstruction of the lumen
400
Which kind of diet can contribute to lower incidences of appendicitis
High fiber diet
400
In which quadrant will the pain of appendicitis most likely radiate to?
Right lower quadrant
400

What kind of medications should be withheld for appendicitis patients prior to surgery?

Strong analgesics

400

A postop appendectomy patient has not had a bowel movement in 3 days. Bowel sounds are absent. This is indicative of  which complication?

Lack of GI function return

500
Name 3 things that could cause obstruction of the lumen.
Fecal mass, ingested seeds, tumor, worms
500
True or false: A person is at highest risk for developing appendicitis during their teenage years
True
500
Where does the initial pain show up when someone is experiencing appendicitis?
Gastric and/or periumbilical pain
500
True or False: It is most likely that a patient with appendicitis will require surgery.
True
500

A postop appendectomy patient's incision is red and there is yellowish drainage. Which complication has the patient likely developed?

Wound infection

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