Abdominal pain is challenging complaint because it may suggest true pathology, but oftentimes is a red flag to some sketchy behavior.
Definition
We are disappointed in you if you cannot figure out the definition by yourself.
History
The history helps guide the formation of a differential diagnosis, though it is well known that the sensitivity and specificity is poor especially if the patient is lying. The location of abdominal pain can be helpful, but if the patient gestures towards the entire body when asked where the pain is then move on. Timing is helpful: sudden onset signals something acute whereas initial onset in the year of 1988 suggests a discharge might be imminent. Quality can be useful if the patient says words like "gnawing" or "colicky" but chances are you'll just here the phrase, "I don't know, it just hurts." Severity can be helpful; however, if the patient describes their pain as greater than 10 out of 10, push drug-seeking to the top of the differential and move on.[1][2] You could ask if anything triggers the pain, if anything makes it better, if there are any other associated symptoms, or any other pertinent past medical history, medications, travel history of sexual history, but you've already devoted way too much time to the history, you're probably getting paged, so it is best to move on. Note: In the event the abdominal pain is occurring in a young woman of reproductive age, be like medical student Rick Hansen and avoid a pelvic exam at all costs.[3]
Related Reading
References
- ↑ 20 Out of 10 Medical Providers Annoyed by Patients’ Misuse of Pain Scales (Gomerblog)
- ↑ Drug Seeker Fills Entire Emesis Bucket with Noise Before Receiving Dilaudid (Gomerblog)
- ↑ Med Student Avoids Pelvic Exam for Record 1,429th Straight Day (Gomerblog)
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