Abdominal pain physical examination

Resident Survival Guide

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Abdominal pain Microchapters
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Overview
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes Diffuse Abdominal Pain Left Upper Quadrant Left Flank Left Lower Quadrant Epigastric Quadrant Umbilical Region Pelvic Region Right Upper Quadrant Right Flank Right Lower Quadrant Intraperitoneal Extraperitoneal
Differentiating Abdominal pain from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
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Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
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History and Symptoms
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 patient's history of the presenting complaint and their 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.

Physical Examination

Appearance of the Patient

• Patient's body position tends to relieve the pain
• Signs of dehydration and fever

Abdomen

• Bowel sounds
• Distention
• Guarding
• Palpitation for masses and organomegaly
• Rebound tenderness
• Tenderness
• Tympany

Acute Abdomen

In cases of ischemic acute abdomen, bowel sounds will be absent.