Abdominal pain physical examination
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
When a physician assesses a patient to determine the etiology and subsequent treatment for abdominal pain the patients history of the presenting complaint and physical examination should derive a diagnosis in over 90% of cases.
It is important also for a physician to remember that abdominal pain can be caused by problems outside the abdomen, especially heart attacks and pneumonias which can occasionally present as abdominal pain.
Anamnesis
- Note the following during a complete history and physical examination:
- Symptom progression
- Associated complaints
- Urinary complaints
- Exposure to medications and illness
- Past medical history (including previous episodes of discomfort)
Physical Examination
Appearance of the Patient
- Signs of dehydration and fever
- Patient's body position tends to relieve the pain
Abdomen
- Distention
- Bowel sounds
- Tympany
- Palpitation for masses and organomegaly
- Guarding
- Tenderness
- Rebound tenderness