Appendicitis

Learn about the nursing care management of patients with appendicitis in this nursing study guide.

Table of Contents

• What is Appendicitis? 
• Pathophysiology
• Statistics and Epidemiology
• Clinical Manifestations
• Complications
• Assessment and Diagnostic Findings
• Medical Management
• Surgical Management
• Nursing Management
  • Nursing Assessment
  • Diagnosis
  • Nursing Care Planning & Goals
  • Nursing Interventions
  • Evaluation
  • Discharge and Home Care Guidelines
  • Documentation Guidelines
• See Also

What is Appendicitis?

Any part of the lower GI tract is susceptible to acute inflammation caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.

• Appendicitis (also known as epityphlitis) is the inflammation of the appendix which is a small finger-like appendage attached to the cecum.
• The appendix is a small, finger-like appendage attached to the cecum just below the ileocecal valve.
• Because the appendix empties into the colon inefficiently and its lumen is small, it is prone to becoming obstructed and is vulnerable to infection (appendicitis).

Pathophysiology

The simple pathophysiology of appendicitis follows the typical pathophysiology of infection.

• Obstruction. The appendix becomes inflamed and edematous as a result of becoming kinked or occluded by a fecalith, tumor, or foreign body.
• Inflammation. The inflammatory process increases intraluminal pressure, initiating progressively severe, generalized, or periumbilical pain.
• Pain. The pain becomes localized to the right lower quadrant of the abdomen within a few hours.
• Pus formation. Eventually, the inflamed appendix fills with pus.

Statistics and Epidemiology

Appendicitis is actually a common disorder in the United States.

• Appendicitis is the most common cause of acute surgical abdomen in the United States.
• It is the most common reason for emergency abdominal surgery in the United States.
• Appendicitis commonly occurs between the ages 10 and 30 years.

Clinical Manifestations

Signs and symptoms of appendicitis are listed below.

• Pain. Vague epigastric or periumbilical pain progresses to right lower quadrant pain usually accompanied by low-grade fever, nausea,and sometimes vomiting.
• Tenderness. In 50% of presenting cases, local tenderness is elicited at McBurney’s point when pressure is applied.
• Rebound tenderness. Rebound tenderness or the production or intensification of pain when pressure is released.
• Rovsing’s sign. Rovsing’s sign may be elicited by palpating the left lower quadrant; this paradoxically causes pain to be felt at the right lower quadrant.

Complications

If appendicitis is left untreated, a complication could occur.

• Perforation of the appendix. This is a major complication of appendicitis, which can lead to peritonitis, abscess formation, or portal pylephlebitis.
• Perforation generally occurs 24 hours after the onset of pain.
• Symptoms include a fever of 37.7⁰C or greater, a toxic appearance, and continued abdominal pain or tenderness.

Assessment and Diagnostic Findings

Diagnosis is based on the results of a complete physical examination and on laboratory findings and imaging studies.

• CBC count. A complete blood cell count shows an elevated WBC count, with an elevation of the neutrophils.
• Imaging studies. Abdominal x-ray films, ultrasound studies, and CT scans may reveal a right lower quadrant density or localized distention of the bowel.
• Pregnancy test. A pregnancy test may be performed for women of childbearing age to rule out ectopic pregnancy and before x-rays are obtained.
• Laparoscopy. A diagnostic laparoscopy may be used to rule out acute appendicitis in equivocal cases.
• C-reactive protein. Protein produced by the liver when bacterial infections occur and rapidly increases within the first 12 hours.

Medical Management

Medical management should be performed carefully to avoid altering the presenting symptoms.

• IV fluids. To correct fluid and electrolyte imbalance and dehydration, IV fluids are administered prior to surgery.
• Antibiotic therapy. To prevent sepsis, antibiotics are administered until the surgery is performed.
• Drainage. When perforation of the appendix occurs, an abscess may form and the patient is initially treated with antibiotics and the surgeon may place a drain in the abscess.

Surgical Management

Immediate surgery is typically indicated if appendicitis is diagnosed.

• Appendectomy. Appendectomy or the surgical removal of the appendix is performed as soon as it is possible to decrease the risk of perforation.
• Laparotomy and laparoscopy. Both of these procedures are safe and effective in the treatment of appendicitis with perforation.

Nursing Management

A focus of the nurses’ management is the preparation of the patient for surgery.

Nursing Assessment

Assessment of a patient with appendicitis may be both objective and subjective.

• Assess the level of pain.
• Assess relevant laboratory findings.
• Assess patient’s vital signs in preparation for surgery.

Diagnosis

Based on the assessment data, the most appropriate diagnoses for a patient with appendicitis are:

• Acute pain related to obstructed appendix.
• Risk for deficient fluid volume related to preoperative vomiting, postoperative restrictions.
• Risk for infection related to ruptured appendix.

Nursing Care Planning & Goals

Main Article: Appendectomy Nursing Care Plans

Goals for a patient with appendicitis include:

• Relieving pain.
• Preventing fluid volume deficit.
• Reducing anxiety.
• Eliminating infection due to the potential or actual disruption of the GI tract.
• Maintaining skin integrity.
• Attaining optimal nutrition.

Nursing Interventions

The nurse prepares the patient for surgery.

• IV infusion. An IV infusion is made to replace fluid loss and promote adequate renal functioning.
• Antibiotic therapy. Antibiotic therapy is given to prevent infection.
• Positioning. After the surgery, the nurse places the patient on a High-fowler’s position to reduce the tension on the incision and abdominal organs, thereby reducing pain.
• Oral fluids. When tolerated, oral fluids could be administered.

Evaluation

• Relieved pain.
• Prevented fluid volume deficit.
• Reduced anxiety.
• Eliminated infection due to the potential or actual disruption of the GI tract.
• Maintained skin integrity.
• Attained optimal nutrition.

Discharge and Home Care Guidelines

Discharge teaching for patient and family is imperative.

• Removal of sutures. The nurse instructs the patient to make an appointment with the surgeon to remove the sutures between the 5^th and 7^th days after surgery.
• Activities. Heavy lifting is to be avoided postoperatively; however, normal activity can be resumed within 2 to 4 weeks.
• Home care. A home care nurse may be needed to assist with incision care and to monitor the patient for complications and wound healing.

Documentation Guidelines

The focus of documentation in patients with appendicitis should include:

• Client’s description of response to pain.
• Acceptable level of pain.
• Prior medication use.
• Results of laboratory tests.
• Surgical site.
• Signs and symptoms of infectious process.
• Recent or current antibiotic therapy.
• Plan of care.
• Teaching plan.
• Response to interventions, teaching, and actions performed.
• Attainment or progress toward desired outcomes.
• Modifications to plan of care.
• Long term needs.

See Also

Posts related to this study guide:

• 4 Appendectomy Nursing Care Plans
• 6 Peritonitis Nurisng Care Plans