Abdomen Discussion, Essay Example

 Introduction

The patient in question is experiencing severe RLQ pain that has caused a fall; therefore, it is necessary to establish a testing and diagnosis protocol to begin an immediate treatment course of action. It is immediately suspected that the patient is suffering from acute appendicitis due to the onset of pain and its severe nature; therefore, the testing protocol would follow this route in order to form a definitive diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan that is appropriate for this patient (Jarvis, 2007).

Analysis

For this patient, the first course of action would include the following: laboratory testing, including white blood cell count, C-reactive proteins, granulocyte count, and polymorphonuclear cell count (AHRQ, 2013). Furthermore, ultrasound and/or CT scan is appropriate for further examination, along with MRI in cases where the diagnosis is not definitive (AHRQ, 2013). These imaging methods are likely to be effective in supporting a diagnostic assessment and treatment plan (AHRQ, 2013). In addition, the use of the Pediatric Appendicitis Score is an effective technique that evaluates such symptoms as the presence of nausea or vomiting, cough, level of tenderness, leukocytosis, fever, and polymorphonuclear neutrophilia (AHRQ, 2013). These factors must be examined as a means of confirming the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in this patient (AHRQ, 2013).

Conclusion

The patient assessment is the critical factor in supporting a definitive diagnosis in this patient, which is suspected to be acute appendicitis and requires immediate surgical intervention if the diagnosis is correct (Dains, 2012). The assessment phase must also take other factors into consideration, such as weight, nutrition, level of pain, length of symptoms, and the potential risk associated with misdiagnosis and how it could impact the patient over the short and long term (Swartz, 2010).

References

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2013). Diagnosis of right lower quadrant pain and suspected acute appendicitis. Retrieved from http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/search-for-guides-reviews-and-reports/?topicid=528&pageaction=displaytopic

Dains, J. E., Baumann, L. C., and Scheibel, P. (2012). Advanced Health Assessment & Clinical Diagnosis in Primary Care, 4th edition. Mosby.

Jarvis, C. (2007). Physical examination and health assessment, 5^th Edition. St. Louis: Saunders.

Swartz, M. A. (2010). Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination, 6^th Edition. Saunders.