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Appendicitis Pathophysiology

This document summarizes the pathophysiology of appendicitis. It lists predisposing factors like being male aged 10-30 years old and a low fiber/fluid diet as risk factors. Precipitating events include constipation leading to obstruction of the appendix from fecaliths, tumors, or parasites. This increases intraluminal pressure and decreases blood flow to the appendix, causing ischemia and necrosis. This leads to rupture of the appendix and peritonitis, starting the inflammatory process. Symptoms then develop like right lower quadrant pain, fever, nausea and vomiting.

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6K views2 pages

Appendicitis Pathophysiology

This document summarizes the pathophysiology of appendicitis. It lists predisposing factors like being male aged 10-30 years old and a low fiber/fluid diet as risk factors. Precipitating events include constipation leading to obstruction of the appendix from fecaliths, tumors, or parasites. This increases intraluminal pressure and decreases blood flow to the appendix, causing ischemia and necrosis. This leads to rupture of the appendix and peritonitis, starting the inflammatory process. Symptoms then develop like right lower quadrant pain, fever, nausea and vomiting.

Uploaded by

itsmeaya
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Pathophysiology

Predisposing:
Gender (Male) *
Age (10-30 years old)
(10-30)*

Precipitating:
Low fiber diet *
Low oral fluid intake(3glasses/day)*
Constipation

Occlusion of fecalith, tumor, parasites

Obstruction of the appendix

LEGEND
*- present in client

Decreased drainage of mucosal secretion

Increased intraluminal pressure

Compression of appendiceal veins

Decreased blood supply in the appendix

Decreased O2 supply in the appendix


Appendiceal wall ischemia

Appendix starts to be
necrotic
Disruption of
cell membrane

Thrombosis of appendicular
artery and veins
Rupture of appendix
Peritonitis

Start of inflammatory
process

Loss of epithelial integrity


Bacterial invasion of
appendicial wall
WBC increased

Start of inflammatory process

Release of chemical
mediators

Activation of vomiting center


In medulla

Histamine, prostaglandin,
leukotrine,bradykinin

Stimulation
of vagus
nerve

Swelling of appendix
RLQ pain
+ rovsing sign*
+ obturator sign*
+ psoas sign*
+ Blumberg sign*
Prostaglandin
fever

Interleukin 1
Increased WBC

Suppression
of
sympathetic
GI function

N/V
anorexia
Redness
Heat
Swelling
Pain
Loss of Fxn

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