Peritonitis

Question 1

peritonitis

Answer 1

inflm of the peritoneum which interferes with normal Fx of affected organs

Question 2

peritoneum

Answer 2

serous membrane forming the lining of the abdominal cavity

Question 3

etiology

Answer 3

• bacterial infection (E. coli)
• chemical agent (bile, gastric acid)
• pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• iatrogenic

Question 4

how does PID cause peritonitis

Answer 4

bacteria migrates up the reproductive tract and into the body cavity causing infection and inflm

Question 5

pathology

Answer 5

• agent impacts peritoneum causing inflm
• peritoneum is richly vascularized which allows bacteria to spread easily and absorb rapidly
• exudate is thick and sticky which seals the perforation so less/no content leaks into the gut and restricts the spread of bacteria and inflm

Question 6

compensatory SNS response to peritonitis

Answer 6

dec GI motility to reduce the spread of content through the perforation in the gut

Question 7

mnfts

Answer 7

• ascites
• fluid shifts into bowel & abdm cavity
• ileus
• fever, pain
• vomiting (local mnft)
• dyspnea

Question 8

ascites occurs due to…

Answer 8

inflammatory symptoms, vasodilation & hyperemia which causes fluid to move out of the body cavity

Question 9

fluid shifting into the bowel & abdm cavity can cause what to happen

Answer 9

third spacing

Question 10

ileus

Answer 10

cessation of peristalsis

Question 11

dyspnea occurs due to…

Answer 11

body limits breathing because the diaphragm keeps pushing on the inflamed peritoneum

Question 12

tx

Answer 12

• pt NPO
• IV Abx
• NG suction
• fluids & electrolytes
• anti-inflammatories
• analgesics (for pain)
• Sx if indicated

Question 13

why is pt NPO

Answer 13

• prepare for Sx

- food initiates peristalsis which can cause more gut contents to push out (chemicals, bile, bacteria released, etc…)

Question 14

why NG suction needed

Answer 14

to ensure nothing is in the gut