ETIOLOGY

Obstruction due to:

Fecalith
PREDISPOSING FACTORS PRESENT
Parasites PRECIPITATING FACTORS
IN THE CLIENT Ingested foreign body No bowel movement for 3 days
Age Swollen lymph nodal tissue
Trauma
Injury

Lumen of the appendix becomes

Visceral peritoneum stretches,
obstructed (by fecalith, parasites, Dull, crampy, diffuse periumbilical
stimulation of autonomic nerves T9-
ingested foreign body, or swollen pain
T10
lymph node in children)

Mucus outflow is blocked, appendix

distension and spasms

Increased lumen pressure, decreased

blood flow to the appendix
Pt develops fever, constipation, and
Inflammation progresses over several
sparse bowel sounds as inflammation
days
worsens

Ischemia, tissue necrosis, loss of the

structural integrity of the appendix

Focal, intense, persistent RLQ pain (R

loin) inflammation of iliopsoas muscle
Bacterial invasion of the appendix
Parietal peritoneum irritation, (pain radiating to R iliac fossa),
wall, causing transmural inflammation
stimulation of somatic nerves abdominal guarding, and peritoneal
and necrosis
signs (rebound tenderness)
If left untreated

Perforation of colon wall, leading to Appendectomy APPENDICITIS

peritonitis, abscesses, or death