Make a comprehensive list of relevant information to gather when assessing abdominal pain.

This Discussion has 2 parts:
GI
Make a comprehensive list of relevant information to gather when assessing abdominal pain.
How do you assess for masses in the abdomen and how you would document such findings?
Describe your findings on a previous patient that you have encountered where you have palpated a mass in the abdomen.
Musculoskeletal
Define, Compare, and Contrast the following conditions:
Osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis

ANSWER
GI

Relevant information to gather when assessing abdominal pain:

Onset and duration of pain: When did the pain start? How long has it been going on?
Character of pain: Is the pain sharp, dull, burning, cramping, or aching?
Location of pain: Where is the pain located? Does it radiate anywhere else?
Severity of pain: How bad is the pain on a scale of 1 to 10?
Aggravating and relieving factors: What makes the pain worse? What makes the pain better?
Associated symptoms: Does the patient have any other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, fever, or weight loss?
Medical history: Does the patient have any underlying medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or cancer?
Social history: Does the patient smoke, drink alcohol, or use drugs?
Assessment for masses in the abdomen:

Inspection: Look for any distension, asymmetry, or scars.
Palpation: Palpate the abdomen gently to assess for masses, tenderness, and guarding.
Auscultation: Auscultate the abdomen for bowel sounds.
Documentation of mass findings:

Location: Where is the mass located? Is it midline or lateral? Is it supramesocolic, inframesocolic, or inframesocolic?
Size: How big is the mass? Can you estimate its size in centimeters?
Consistency: Is the mass soft, firm, or hard?
Surface: Is the mass smooth or irregular?
Borders: Are the borders of the mass well-defined or poorly defined?
Tenderness: Is the mass tender to palpation?
Other findings: Note any other findings, such as guarding or rebound tenderness.
Case study:

I once encountered a patient with a mass in the abdomen. The patient was a 55-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with a complaint of abdominal pain. The pain had been going on for two days and was located in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen. The pain was sharp and severe, and it was worse when the patient moved. The patient also reported nausea and vomiting.

On physical examination, I found a palpable mass in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. The mass was firm and about 5 centimeters in diameter. It was tender to palpation. I also noted guarding and rebound tenderness in the right upper quadrant.

I ordered an ultrasound of the abdomen, which confirmed the presence of a mass in the right upper quadrant. The mass was consistent with a liver tumor. The patient was admitted to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

Musculoskeletal

Osteoarthritis:

Definition: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes the cartilage in the joints to break down. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.
Causes: Osteoarthritis is caused by a combination of factors, including age, genetics, and wear and tear on the joints.
Symptoms: The symptoms of osteoarthritis can vary depending on the severity of the disease. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. The pain is typically worse with activity and improves with rest.
Diagnosis: Osteoarthritis is diagnosed based on a physical exam and imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRI.
Treatment: There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but there are treatments available to help manage the symptoms. Treatment options include over-the-counter pain relievers, physical therapy, and surgery.
Rheumatoid arthritis:

Definition: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints. This inflammation can damage the joints and lead to pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.
Causes: The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis is unknown, but it is believed to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Symptoms: The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can vary depending on the severity of the disease. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion. The pain is typically worse in the morning and improves with activity.
Diagnosis: Rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed based on a physical exam, blood tests, and imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRI.
Treatment: There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis, but there are treatments available to help manage the symptoms and prevent further joint damage. Treatment options include medications, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
Comparison and contrast:

Feature Osteoarthritis Rheumatoid arthritis
| Definition