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Article: The challenge of assessing and diagnosing acute abdomen in tetraplegics: a case study.(Clinical report)
- Article from:
- Journal of Neuroscience Nursing
- Article date:
- February 1, 2007
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 American Association of Neuroscience Nurses. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Abstract: The assessment and diagnosis of an acute abdomen in a spinal cord-injured patient presents a significant challenge to even the most experienced practitioners because of the muted or altered presentations secondary to paralysis. Because the patient with spinal cord injury is at increased risk for peptic or duodenal ulcers and a number of other gastrointestinal emergencies, clinicians need to maintain a high index of suspicion for acute abdomen when working with this population.
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Assessing and diagnosing an acute abdomen in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) presents a considerable challenge. Because of SCI's devastating effects on ...