Comprehensive List of Relevant Information to Gather When Assessing Abdominal Pain
The first critical information to collect is obtaining a detailed medical history, including previous surgeries, dietary habits, medication use, and any recent illnesses. In the collection of medical history, assessment of the locations experiencing pain, the duration in which the pain has been experienced, the characteristics of the pain, and the symptoms like nausea are very critical. Mealie and Manthey (2022) add that the patients’ gender is also vital because some GI conditions are related to particular demographics. The physical information must entail palpitations and abdomen auscultation to identify any tenderness and abnormal bowel sounds. Comprehensive laboratory tests incorporating complete blood count, liver function tests, and urinalysis also need to offer possible diagnostic insights (Mealie & Manthey, 2022). The imaging results are the last critical information to be collected. The imaging considerations that can help collect imaging information are ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. Ultimately, considering these elements can allow for appropriate information collection for timely diagnosis to mitigate GI disorders.
How To Assess for Masses in The Abdomen and How to Document Such Findings
The process entails systematic abdominal palpitation during physical examination. According to Mealie and Manthey (2022), the process starts with light palpitations to try to identify any superficial masses or any tenderness before progressing to deeper palpitations for identifying any deep-seated masses or organ enlargement. This process is focused on the specific locations of the masses, the shapes, sizes and mobility of the identified masses. Anatomical descriptions such as “a firm and painless mass in the right upper quarter measuring 5 cm in size and mobile with respiration” are applied when the findings are recorded. The other associated factors like pain or bowel behavior changes are also noted (Mealie & Manthey, 2022). In addition, the characterization of the masses requires additional diagnostic approaches like imaging for a confirmation on the diagnostic. A perfect instance of this condition is where there is a clear mass in the left lower quadrant plus bloody stools. This situation might be an indication of colon cancer justifying further colonoscopy and CT scan for exact confirmation.
The Findings on A Previous Patient I Encountered Where I Palpated a Mass in The Abdomen
While doing my recent examination, I felt a mass in the right quadrant of my patient. The lump was about 3 cm big, hard and none tender upon palpation. The mas was immobile during the time of respiration. The patient had reported recent symptoms, patient of vague abdominal discomfort which was followed by the unintended weight loss in a span of three months. The presence of specific signs and the evolution of symptoms indicated that it was necessary to make further studies to rule out the differentials including pancreatic cancer. This information was store in the patient medical record where necessary additional imaging studies or specialists’ consultations could be requested.
Musculoskeletal
Definition, Comparison, and Contrast of Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Contrasting
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that manifests through cartilage breakdown, leading to pain, reduced joint mobility, and stiffness. This condition is primarily experienced in the weight-bearing joints like the spine, knees, and hips (Yunus et al., 2020). Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that manifests through the inflammation of the joints, translating to pain, inflammation, and deformation of the joints, thus affecting the small joints in the hands and feet (Chauhan et al., 2023). Another difference in these conditions lies in the patterns of joint involvement. Rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects small body joints like those on the hands and feet and sometimes involves multiple joints. Osteoarthritis, however, affects the weight-bearing joints like the knees in a progressive asymmetrical way, thus affecting more than one joint.
Similarities
Firstly, both conditions lead to pain in the joint, potentially impeding mobility, thus affecting the general individual’s quality of life. In elaborating on this similarity, although these conditions result from different causes, they quickly lead to joint damage and functional impairment. The other similarity in these conditions lies in the management strategies. In both conditions, the management involves incorporating both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions aimed at alleviating the signs while promoting joint function for a general improvement of the general well-being (Chauhan et al., 2023).
References
Chauhan, K., Jandu, J. S., & Al-Dhahir, M. A. (2023, May 25). Rheumatoid arthritis. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441999/
Mealie, C. A., & Manthey, D. E. (2022, October 10). Abdominal exam. National Library of Medicine; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459220/
Yunus, M. H. M., Nordin, A., & Kamal, H. (2020). Pathophysiological Perspective of Osteoarthritis. Medicina, 56(11), 614. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina56110614
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