Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Peritonitis - secondary

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Secondary peritonitis


Symptoms
  • Abdominal distention
  • Abdominal pain
  • Decreased appetite
  • Fever
  • Low urine output
  • Nausea
  • Thirst
  • Vomiting

Note: There may be signs of shock.


Signs and tests

Vital signs may be abnormal with fever, rapid heart rate and breathing, and low blood pressure.

Tests may include:

  • Blood culture
  • Blood chemistry, including pancreatic enzymes
  • Complete blood count
  • Liver and kidney function tests
  • X-rays or CT scan
  • Peritoneal fluid culture
  • Urinalysis


Review Date: 06/28/2010
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, Clinic. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)