2.0 Continuing Education Hours

Abdominal pain is one of the most common complaints in the correctional environment (and in primary care ion the community). It can be the result of an organic issue or identified as physiologic; it can be chronic or acute. While most abdominal pain is self limiting, there are circumstances when abdominal pain signifies a life threatening condition. In this class, we will first review pertinent questions that should be asked of the patient. We will then review how to conduct an appropriate physical assessment of the patient complaining of abdominal pain. Each quadrant will then be reviewed for common causes of abdominal pain originating in that quadrant, including signs and symptoms.