Acute appendicitis nursing care

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 13, 2024
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The nursing care for acute appendicitis includes preoperative care and postoperative care. Before surgery and on the day of surgery, fasting is required; the patient should not eat anything. At the same time, it is important to soothe the patient's emotions. If the pain is very severe, sedative analgesics can be used. After the surgery, dietary care should be intensified. On the first day after the surgery, a liquid diet should be administered. After bowel gas is passed, a normal diet can be resumed on the third to fourth day. It is important to monitor vital signs and the condition of the surgical incision to prevent infection. The patient can engage in activities out of bed 24 hours after surgery. Elderly patients should be assisted in expectoration to prevent dependent pneumonia.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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The cause of acute appendicitis

The etiology of acute appendicitis is directly related to obstruction and infection of the appendiceal lumen. The appendix, a narrow and elongated tube connected to the cecum, can develop increased luminal pressure due to obstruction, leading to disturbances in the blood supply to the appendiceal wall. This can easily cause damage to the mucosa and subsequent infection. Infection of the appendiceal lumen can directly cause acute appendicitis. Additionally, gastrointestinal dysfunction can also cause muscle and vascular spasms in the appendix leading to blood supply disturbances and the invasion of bacteria, resulting in acute inflammation. For acute appendicitis, surgical treatment should be administered immediately upon diagnosis.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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The Difference Between Acute and Chronic Appendicitis

The differences between acute appendicitis and chronic appendicitis mainly lie in the onset of the condition, physical signs, and laboratory tests. First, regarding the onset of the condition, acute appendicitis occurs suddenly and can involve abrupt abdominal pain, whereas chronic appendicitis often manifests as fixed tenderness in the lower right abdomen and the symptoms are not particularly typical. In terms of physical signs, acute appendicitis presents with migratory pain in the lower right abdomen, while chronic appendicitis generally does not involve rebound pain. Thirdly, concerning auxiliary examinations, acute appendicitis shows a significant increase in the white blood cell count during an attack, whereas in chronic appendicitis, the white blood cell count may appear normal.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Acute appendicitis nursing care

The nursing care for acute appendicitis includes preoperative care and postoperative care. Before surgery and on the day of surgery, fasting is required; the patient should not eat anything. At the same time, it is important to soothe the patient's emotions. If the pain is very severe, sedative analgesics can be used. After the surgery, dietary care should be intensified. On the first day after the surgery, a liquid diet should be administered. After bowel gas is passed, a normal diet can be resumed on the third to fourth day. It is important to monitor vital signs and the condition of the surgical incision to prevent infection. The patient can engage in activities out of bed 24 hours after surgery. Elderly patients should be assisted in expectoration to prevent dependent pneumonia.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
41sec home-news-image

Symptoms of acute appendicitis

The typical symptoms of acute appendicitis include abdominal pain that starts around the upper abdomen or navel area, then localizes to the lower right abdomen. There are also manifestations of gastrointestinal spasms such as nausea and vomiting. Due to inflammation entering the bloodstream, there can be a systemic infection, often accompanied by fever, generally not exceeding 38 degrees Celsius. If there is an appendix perforation and peritonitis, the temperature can exceed 38 degrees. After the appendix becomes suppurative, symptoms can include abdominal muscle rigidity, dental pain, and rebound tenderness.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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How is acute appendicitis treated?

Acute appendicitis treatment primarily involves surgical methods, where the inflamed, suppurative, or perforated appendix is excised during the procedure, and then the base of the appendix is sutured. Moreover, if there is suppuration, it is necessary to irrigate the peritoneal cavity to prevent intra-abdominal infections. After the surgery, fluid therapy should be administered based on the patient's condition. In cases of perforation or suppuration, antibiotics should be used post-operatively. For simple appendicitis, post-operative fluid replenishment is generally sufficient, and antibiotics are not required. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)