A 69-year-old male presents to the Emergency Department with bilious vomiting that started within the past 24 hours. His medical history is significant for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and a myocardial infarction six months ago. His past surgical history is significant for a laparotomy 20 years ago for a perforated diverticulum. Most recently he had some dental work done and has been on narcotic pain medicine for the past week. He reports constipation and obstipation. He is afebrile with a blood pressure of 146/92 mm Hg and a heart rate of 116/min. His abdominal exam reveals multiple well-healed scars with distension but no tenderness. An abdominal/pelvic CT scan reveals dilated small bowel with a transition point to normal caliber bowel distally. When did the cause of his pathology commence?
AOne week ago
BSix months ago
C20 years ago
DAt birth
E24 hours ago
A 76-year-old female is brought to the emergency department after being found unresponsive in her room at her nursing facility. Past medical history is significant for Alzheimer's disease, hypertension, and diabetes. Surgical history is notable for an open cholecystectomy at age 38 and multiple cesarean sections. On arrival, she is non-responsive but breathing by herself, and her vital signs are T 102.9 F, HR 123 bpm, BP 95/64, RR 26/min, and SaO2 97% on 6L nasal cannula. On physical exam the patient has marked abdominal distension and is tympanic to percussion. Laboratory studies are notable for a lactic acidosis. An upright abdominal radiograph and CT abdomen/pelvis with contrast are shown in Figures A and B respectively. She is started on IV fluids and a nasogastric tube is placed to suction which returns green bilious fluid. Repeat vitals 1 hour later are T 101F, HR 140 bpm, BP 75/44, RR 30/min, and SaO2 is 100% on the ventilator after she is intubated for airway concerns. What is the next best step in management?
ASigmoidoscopy, attempted derotation and rectal tube placement
BContinue IV fluid hydration, nasogastric suction, NPO
CPneumatic enema
DImmediate laparotomy and surgical management
ETherapy with levofloxacin and metronidazole
A 68-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department with intense abdominal pain for the past 2 hours. She has had 1 episode of bloody diarrhea recently. She has an 18-year history of diabetes mellitus. She was diagnosed with hypertension and ischemic heart disease 6 years ago. She is fully alert and oriented. Her temperature is 37.5°C (99.5°F), blood pressure is 145/90 mm Hg, pulse is 78/min, and respirations are 14/min. Abdominal examination shows mild generalized abdominal tenderness without guarding or rebound tenderness. An abdominal plain X-ray shows no abnormalities. Abdominal CT reveals colonic wall thickening and pericolonic fat stranding in the splenic curvature. Bowel rest, intravenous hydration, and IV antibiotics are initiated. Which of the following is the most important diagnostic evaluation at this time?
AAngiography
BGastrografin-enhanced X-ray
CLaparotomy
DInpatient observation
ESigmoidoscopy
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