Lesson 1Laboratory tests: CBC, CRP, basic metabolic panel, pregnancy test in females, urinalysis an' interpretationDetails key laboratory tests in suspected appendicitis, including CBC, CRP, metabolic panel, pregnancy testing, an' urinalysis, wid emphasis pon result patterns, diagnostic value, limitations, an' integration wid clinical findings.
CBC patterns an' leukocytosis thresholdsCRP trends an' prognostic implicationsElectrolytes, renal function, an' dehydrationPregnancy testing an' ectopic exclusionUrinalysis fi distinguish urinary pathologyCombining lab data wid clinical assessmentLesson 2Targeted physical examination: inspection, auscultation, palpation, percussion, rebound, Rovsing's, psoas an' obturator signsCovers a stepwise abdominal exam fi suspected appendicitis, including inspection, auscultation, palpation, percussion, an' specific maneuvers such as Rovsing, psoas, an' obturator tests, wid technique tips an' interpretation.
Safe abdominal inspection an' auscultationLight an' deep palpation techniquesEliciting rebound an' guardingPerforming Rovsing’s sign correctlyPsoas an' obturator tests an' meaningExam pitfalls in obese or pregnant patientsLesson 3Common an' important differential diagnoses an' discriminating features: mesenteric adenitis, ovarian torsion/ruptured cyst, gastroenteritis, ectopic pregnancy, diverticulitis, urinary tract causesAnalyzes common differential diagnoses fi right lower quadrant pain, including mesenteric adenitis, gynecologic, urinary, an' colonic causes, highlighting discriminating history, exam, an' imaging features fi avoid misdiagnosis.
Mesenteric adenitis versus appendicitisOvarian torsion an' ruptured ovarian cystEctopic pregnancy an' early pregnancy lossGastroenteritis an' colitis mimicsDiverticulitis an' colonic pathologyUrinary tract an' renal colic featuresLesson 4Systemic exam priorities: vital signs interpretation, sepsis screen, genitourinary an' pelvic exam considerationsFocuses pon systemic assessment fi detect sepsis an' alternative sources, emphasizing vital sign interpretation, early warning scores, fluid status, an' targeted genitourinary an' pelvic exams, including chaperone an' consent considerations.
Interpreting vital signs an' shock patternsScreening fi sepsis an' organ dysfunctionAssessing volume status at de bedsideFocused genitourinary examination stepsPelvic exam indications an' techniqueInfection control, consent, an' chaperonesLesson 5Focused history-taking fi acute abdominal pain (onset, character, migration, associated symptoms, menstrual/GI history)Provides a structured approach fi history-taking in acute abdominal pain, emphasizing onset, character, migration, associated gastrointestinal an' urinary symptoms, menstrual an' sexual history, red flags, an' prior abdominal surgery.
Character, onset, an' pain migrationAssociated GI an' systemic symptomsUrinary an' renal symptom screeningMenstrual, sexual, an' obstetric historyMedication, comorbidity, an' surgery historyRed flag features requiring urgent actionLesson 6Clinical decision-making fi borderline or atypical presentations an' when fi consult surgery or senior reviewAddresses decision-making in borderline or atypical appendicitis, including equivocal scores or imaging, use a observation units, repeat exams, shared decision-making, an' clear thresholds fi surgical or senior consultation.
Recognizing atypical symptom patternsManaging equivocal lab or imaging resultsUse a observation an' serial examinationsDocumentation an' safety-netting adviceWhen fi involve senior or surgical reviewCommunicating uncertainty wid patientsLesson 7Diagnostic pathways an' scoring systems: Alvarado score, Appendicitis Inflammatory Response (AIR) score, when fi use observation vs imagingExplores structured diagnostic pathways using Alvarado an' AIR scores, clarifying cutoffs, risk stratification, an' how fi choose observation, serial exams, or imaging fi minimize missed appendicitis an' unnecessary surgery.
Components a de Alvarado scoreAIR score variables an' weightingRisk categories an' score cutoffsWhen fi observe wid serial examsWhen fi proceed directly fi imagingPathways fi pediatric an' elderly patientsLesson 8Imaging choices an' interpretation: ultrasound findings in appendicitis, graded-compression technique, CT abdomen pelvis wid IV contrast indications an' key findingsReviews imaging options fi suspected appendicitis, emphasizing graded-compression ultrasound, CT abdomen pelvis wid IV contrast, an' selective MRI, wid indications, key diagnostic signs, limitations, an' radiation an' contrast safety issues.
Ultrasound graded-compression techniqueSonographic signs a acute appendicitisCT indications an' contrast protocolsCT findings an' alternative diagnosesImaging in children an' pregnancyCommunicating results wid radiology
