Evaluation of Abdominal Emergencies

Abstract

Early primary assessment and abdominal examination can often be enough to triage the patient with abdominal pain into those with less severe underlying pathologic condition from those with more acute findings. A focused history of the patient can then allow the clinician to develop their differential diagnosis. Once the differential diagnoses are determined, diagnostic imaging and laboratory findings can help confirm the diagnosis and allow for expeditious treatment and intervention.

Keywords: Abdominal emergencies; Acute abdomen; Peritonitis; Pneumoperitoneum; Shock.