Appendicitis is the inflammation of the appendix, often resulting from obstruction, leading to severe abdominal pain and potential rupture. Key symptoms include right lower quadrant pain, fever, and loss of appetite, and diagnosis is typically confirmed via imaging and elevated white blood cell counts. The standard treatment is an immediate appendectomy, and nursing management focuses on pain relief and preventing complications.

1. Appendicitis

2. Definition
• Appendicitis is inflammation of the appendix, a narrow blind tube
that extends from the inferior part of the cecum.
• It is the most common reason for emergency abdominal surgery.

4. Pathophysiology
• The appendix becomes inflamed and edematous as a result of either
becoming kinked or occluded by a fecalith (ie, hardened mass of
stool), tumor, or foreign body.
• The inflammatory process increases intraluminal pressure, initiating a
progressively severe, generalized or upper abdominal pain that
becomes localized in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen within
a few hours.
• Eventually, the inflamed appendix fills with pus.

5. Clinical features
• Vague epigastric or periumbilical pain progresses to right lower quadrant
pain
• Accompanied by a low-grade fever and nausea and sometimes by
vomiting.
• Loss of appetite is common.
• Local tenderness is elicited at McBurney’s point when pressure is applied
• Rebound tenderness (ie, production or intensification of pain when
pressure is released) may be present.
• The extent of tenderness and muscle spasm and the existence of
constipation or diarrhea depend not so much on the severity of the
appendiceal infection as on the location of the appendix.
• If the appendix curls around behind the cecum, pain and tenderness may
be felt in the lumbar region.

6. Continued..
• If its tip is in the pelvis, these signs may be elicited only on rectal
examination.
• Pain on defecation suggests that the tip of the appendix is resting against
the rectum; pain on urination suggests that the tip is near the bladder or
impinges on the ureter.
• If the appendix has ruptured, the pain becomes more diffuse; abdominal
distention develops as a result of paralytic ileus, and the patient’s condition
worsens.
• Constipation can also occur with an acute process such as appendicitis.
• Laxatives administered in this instance may produce perforation of the
inflamed appendix. In general, a laxative or cathartic should never be
given while the person has fever, nausea, or pain

8. Signs to elicit

9. • Obturator sign (the hip is flexed and internally rotated.
• If an inflamed appendix is in contact with the obturator
internus, this manuever will cause pain in the
hypogastrium)

11. Assessment and diagnosis
• Patient examination includes a complete history, physical
examination, and a differential WBC count.
• Most patients have a mildly to moderately high WBC count.
• Leukocyt count may exceed 10,000 cells/mm3, and the neutrophil
count may exceed 75%.
• Abdominal x-ray films, ultrasound studies, and CT scans may reveal a
right lower quadrant density or localized distention of the bowel
• A urinalysis is done to rule out genitourinary conditions that mimic
appendicitis.

12. Complication
• The major complication of appendicitis is perforation of the
appendix, which can lead to peritonitis or an abscess.
• The incidence of perforation is 10% to 32%.
• The incidence is higher in young children and the elderly.
• Perforation generally occurs 24 hours after the onset of pain.
• Symptoms include a fever of 37.7°C (100°F) or higher and continued
abdominal pain or tenderness

13. Treatment
• If there is a delay in diagnosis and treatment, the appendix can rupture and the
resulting peritonitis can be fatal.
• The standard treatment of appendicitis is an immediate appendectomy (surgical
removal of appendix).
• It may be performed under a general or spinal anesthetic with a low abdominal
incision or by laparoscopy.
• If the inflammation is localized, surgery should be done as soon as the diagnosis is
made.
• Antibiotics and fluid resuscitation are started before surgery
• If the appendix has ruptured and there is evidence of peritonitis or an abscess, giving
parenteral fluids and antibiotic therapy for 6 to 8 hours before the appendectomy
helps prevent dehydration and sepsis.

14. Nursing Management
• Focuses on
preventing fluid volume deficit
relieving pain
preventing complications.
To ensure the stomach is empty in case surgery is needed, keep the
patient NPO until the HCP evaluates the patient.
 Monitor vital signs and perform ongoing assessment to detect any
deterioration in condition.
Give IV fluids, analgesics, and antiemetics as ordered.
Provide comfort measures.