Ascites

WHAT IS IT?

Ascites refers to the collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity that can (and often does) lead to abdominal swelling (shown below, source). This can often be secondary to diseases that lead to damage as cirrhosis of the liver.

Hepaticfailure

WHAT CAUSES IT?

 

WHY IS IT CONCERNING MEDICALLY?

 

WHAT IS THE INTIAL PRESENTATION?

Patient Chief Complaints:

 

Detected Medical Problems:

 

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF THE MEDICAL HISTORY?

Risk Factors:

 

Medical History:

 

WHAT ARE IMPORTANT FEATURES OF THE PHYSICAL EXAM?

Vital Signs:

 

Other:

 

CLINICAL WORKUP: SERUM STUDIES

 

CLINICAL WORKUP: IMAGING

This page is dedicated to the radiological appearance of ascites.

CLINICAL WORKUP: OTHER

 

HOW DO WE NARROW THE DIFFERENTIAL?

Conditions that present similarly and how to exclude them:

 

WHAT IS OUR THRESHOLD FOR DIAGNOSING THIS CONDITION?

 

PATIENT MANAGMENT: SYMPTOM RELEIF

 

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: DISEASE TREATMENT

 

PATIENT MANAGEMENT: PROPHYLACTIC MEASURES

 

COULD THIS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED?

 

ARCHIVE OF STANDARDIZED EXAM QUESTIONS 

This archive compiles standardized exam questions that relate to this topic.

 

Page Updated: 06.20.2017