Peritonitis

Answer Explanation:

• The correct answer is ‘Rigid abdomen’. This is because generalized peritonitis often presents with a rigid or ‘board-like’ abdomen due to severe inflammation of the peritoneum leading to involuntary guarding and muscle rigidity.
• ‘Absent anal tone’ is incorrect as it is more indicative of spinal cord injury or neurological conditions affecting the lower spinal cord.
• ‘Fluid thrill’ is incorrect as it is a sign of ascites, not peritonitis.
• ‘Murphy’s sign’ is incorrect as it is a clinical sign of acute cholecystitis, not peritonitis.
• ‘Hyperactive bowel sounds’ is incorrect as bowel sounds may be decreased or absent in peritonitis due to paralytic ileus.

Overview of Generalized Peritonitis:

• Generalized peritonitis is a severe condition characterized by inflammation of the peritoneum, the thin layer of tissue that lines the inside of the abdomen and covers most of the abdominal organs.
• It is most commonly caused by bacterial infection, often due to rupture or perforation of an abdominal organ.
• Signs and symptoms may include severe abdominal pain and tenderness, rigidity or ‘board-like’ abdomen due to involuntary guarding, fever, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, and altered bowel habits.
• Diagnosis is usually based on clinical findings, and confirmed by imaging studies such as ultrasound or CT scan, and sometimes by exploratory laparotomy.
• Immediate treatment with intravenous antibiotics and surgery to treat the source of infection is usually necessary.
• Without prompt treatment, generalized peritonitis can lead to serious complications such as sepsis and multiple organ failure, and can be fatal.

Answer Explanation:

• Ascites is the correct answer because it is a known risk factor for peritonitis. Ascites refers to the accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity, often due to liver disease or cancer. This fluid can become infected, leading to peritonitis.
• Digital rectal examination, irritable bowel syndrome, prostatic hypertrophy, and viral gastroenteritis are not directly linked to an increased risk of peritonitis.

Overview of Peritonitis:

Definition:

• Peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the abdominal organs.

Causes:

• It is most often caused by an infection, which can occur for various reasons including a rupture in the abdominal wall, an underlying medical condition like ascites, or a complication from peritoneal dialysis.

Symptoms:

• Common symptoms include abdominal pain or tenderness, bloating or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting, fever, and an inability to pass stool or gas.

Treatment:

• Peritonitis requires prompt medical attention. Treatment typically involves antibiotics to fight the infection, and in some cases, surgery may be needed to remove infected tissue or treat the underlying cause.

Prevention:

• Prevention strategies include prompt treatment of abdominal infections and injuries, and careful management of medical conditions that increase the risk of peritonitis, such as ascites.