Differential diagnosis * Abdominal aortic aneurysm * Appendicitis * Blunt force trauma to the abdomen * Bowel obstruction * Diverticulitis * Dyspepsia * Ectopic pregnancy * GERD * Ileus * Inflammatory bowel disease * Intussusception * Mesenteric ischemia * Nephrolithiasis * Ovarian cyst * Pancreatitis * Pelvic inflammatory disease * Perforated peptic ulcer disease * Pneumonia * Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) * Urinary tract infection/pyelonephritis * Volvulus * Zoster *:* Skin lesions may not be visible until another day or two * Abdominal migraine * Abdominal wall strain/injury * Abscess (e.g. iliopsoas) * Hepatic or splenic contusion/laceration * Incarcerated hernia * Insect toxins (e.g. black widow spider) * Malingering * Pneumoperitoneum secondary to abdominal trauma * Septic miscarriage (See Miscarriage) Laboratory findings * Complete blood count (CBC) * Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)/creatinine * Liver function tests (LFTs) * Glucose * Amylase/lipase * Urine culture * Urinalysis * Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) * Cervical cultures are recommended to diagnose pelvic inflammatory disease Electrolyte and biomarker studies * Electrolytes MRI and CT * CT diagnoses: *:* Organ contusion *:* Organ laceration *:* Aneurysm *:* Diverticulitis *:* Appendicitis Echocardiography or ultrasound * Pelvic, abdominal and/or transvaginal ultrasound diagnoses: *:* Peritonitis *:* Ectopic pregnancy *:* Ovarian cysts *:* Fluid/blood secondary to trauma *:* Appendicitis *:* Aneurysm Other imaging findings * KUB x-ray imaging (kidney, ureter, bladder) could reveal nephrolithiasis and bowel gas pattern Other diagnostic studies * Symptomatic relief may be provided by paracentesis, which may also diagnose spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) * Gastrointestinal endoscopy may be used or patients with suspected peptic ulcer disease *:* Helicobacter pylori testing may also be used * Trial medications may be beneficial for the diagnosis and treatment of: *:* GERD/dyspepsia: Proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers *:* Abdominal wall strain: Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) *:* Anxiety: Lorazepam *:* Zoster: Acyclovir
Abdominal guarding
Abdominal distension
Gallop rhythm
Blood in stool
Gallbladder flush
Abdominal pain
Rectal pain
Abdominal thrusts