124316993-17737845-Appendectomy-Appendicitis-Case-Study -...

I.INTRODUCTION
Patient J.L.D is 31 year-old married woman who was admitted at the Surgery
Department last June 21, 2009 due to severe pain at her right lower quadrant, the patient
was diagnosed with acute appendicitis. The patient underwent emergency appendectomy
the next day, June 22, 2009.
Appendicitis is the inflammation of the vermiform appendix and was first
described as a pathologic condition by Reginald Fitz in 1886, it is caused by an
obstruction attributed to infection, stricture, fecal mass, foreign body or tumor.
Appendicitis can affect either gender at any age, but is most common in male ages 10-30.
Appendicitis is the most common disease requiring surgery and one of the most
commonly misdiagnosed diseases.
Appendectomy, removal of the appendix, is the standard treatment for acute
appendicitis, it is important to immediately remove the appendix after the diagnosis to
prevent the occurrence of the life-threatening complication of appendix. The most
frequent complication of appendicitis is perforation. Perforation of the appendix can lead
to a periappendiceal abscess (a collection of infected pus) or diffuse peritonitis (infection
of the entire lining of the abdomen and the pelvis). The major reason for appendiceal
perforation is delay in diagnosis and treatment. In general, the longer the delay between
diagnosis and surgery, the more likely is perforation. The risk of perforation 36 hours
after the onset of symptoms is at least 15%. Therefore, once appendicitis is diagnosed,
surgery should be done without unnecessary delay.
II.NURSING OBJECTIVE
 To obtain necessary information regarding the patient and her condition
 To assess the patient’s overall health status
 To identify patient’s health care needs through analysis of all the data gathered
 To assist the patient throughout rehabilitation, recovery and discharge
 To impart necessary health teachings to the patient
 To perform appropriate nursing care in conjunction with the condition of the
patient
 To widen and enhance the student nurse’s knowledge and skills through
additional research about the nature of the disease, its signs and symptoms, its
pathophysiology, its diagnosis and treatment.

III.PATIENT’S PROFILE
Name: J.L.D
Age: 31
Sex: Female
Civil Status: Married
Date of Birth: October 03, 1977
Address: Marikina
Religion: Roman Catholic
Nationality: Filipino
Category of the Patient: GM
Place of Admission: Aprilville General Hospital
Date Admitted: June 21, 2009
Time: 9:55 PM
Chief Complaint: Right Lower Quadrant Pain
Ward: St. Anthony
Attending Physician: Dr. House
Chief complaint: Right Lower Quadrant pain
Final Diagnosis: Acute Appendicitis

IV. HISTORY OF PAST AND PRESENT ILLNESS
A. History of Past Illness
Last September 2008, patient was diagnosed with kidney stones or renal calculi.