A female patient presents to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain localized to the right lower quadrant, nausea, and a low-grade fever. After performing a physical examination and diagnostic imaging, the patient is diagnosed with acute appendicitis. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?
Administer intravenous antibiotics and observe the patient for 24 hours.
Provide the patient with oral pain medications and discharge them with a follow-up appointment.
Recommend a liquid diet and bed rest to reduce inflammation.
Prepare the patient for an appendectomy.
The Correct Answer is D
A. Administer intravenous antibiotics and observe the patient for 24 hours: IV antibiotics may be given preoperatively, but observation without surgery is not the standard treatment for confirmed appendicitis due to the risk of rupture.
B. Provide the patient with oral pain medications and discharge them with a follow-up appointment: Oral pain medications are not appropriate as the patient needs surgical intervention. Discharging the patient without surgery could result in life-threatening complications.
C. Recommend a liquid diet and bed rest to reduce inflammation: A liquid diet and bed rest will not address the underlying issue of appendicitis, which requires surgical removal of the inflamed appendix.
D. Prepare the patient for an appendectomy. The standard treatment for acute appendicitis is an appendectomy. Delaying surgery can lead to complications such as perforation, peritonitis, or abscess formation. This is the most appropriate intervention.
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Related Questions
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
A. The gallbladder became infected by a virus and needs to be removed: Gallstones are not caused by a viral infection.
B. The gallbladder has become inflamed due to a build-up of gallstones that are blocking the common bile duct: While gallstones can obstruct the bile duct, leading to inflammation, the best explanation relates to cholesterol as the main cause of stone formation.
C. The gallbladder has become blocked by a tumor and is no longer working: Tumors are not a common cause of gallstones or cholecystitis.
D. The gallbladder has become inflamed due to the cholesterol in the gallstones. Gallstones are typically formed from cholesterol and bile salts. When there is too much cholesterol in the bile, it can form stones that may lead to inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis).
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. A low-fat diet: A low-fat diet is recommended for clients with chronic cholecystitis to reduce the workload on the gallbladder and prevent biliary colic, which can be triggered by the digestion of fats.
B. A low-sodium diet: While a low-sodium diet may be recommended for other conditions, it is not specifically indicated for biliary colic or cholecystitis.
C. A high-fiber diet: Although fiber is beneficial for overall health, it does not directly prevent biliary colic related to cholecystitis.
D. A high-protein diet:A high-protein diet is not recommended for biliary colic. Fat content is the primary concern, not protein.
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