Which condition would the nurse suspect when assessing a patient with acute abdominal pain who has visible peristaltic movements upon abdominal inspection?
Pancreatitis
Acute diarrhea
Aortic aneurysm
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is acute diarrhea.
Explanation:
Visible peristaltic movements upon abdominal inspection are a significant clinical sign that can be associated with gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. These visible movements often occur when the intestine is working harder than normal, typically in response to certain conditions such as acute diarrhea.
In the case of acute diarrhea, the body attempts to expel the contents of the intestines rapidly, leading to increased motility. As the intestines contract forcefully to move the contents through the digestive tract, peristaltic waves can become visible, especially in the absence of a lot of abdominal fat. The increased peristalsis can be seen as visible ripples or waves moving across the abdomen.
Pancreatitis, on the other hand, usually presents with symptoms like severe upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and elevated levels of pancreatic enzymes in the blood. It can also cause a rigid, distended abdomen, but visible peristalsis is not a typical finding.
An aortic aneurysm, especially a ruptured or leaking one, would typically cause severe pain, often described as a “tearing” or “ripping” sensation, along with hypotension and possibly signs of shock. However, visible peristalsis is not a common indicator of an aortic aneurysm, as this condition primarily affects the vascular system rather than the gastrointestinal tract.
In conclusion, when a nurse observes visible peristaltic movements in a patient with acute abdominal pain, the most likely diagnosis is acute diarrhea, which leads to increased motility in the intestines. Other conditions like pancreatitis or aortic aneurysm would present differently and would not typically feature visible peristalsis.