how does your er treat abdominal pain

[dsherman]

we use dilaudid and Zofran but the pt isn't relieved we don't use toradol due to side effects

[Sassy5d]

Depends on the location of the pain. We don't usually give dilaudid for constipation or menstrual cramps.

[zmansc, ASN, RN]

Far too broad of a category of situations to say there is a specific tx. Obviously CMP, CBC, UA, HCG, IV are all done. Depending on those results and other circumstances may get US, XR, CT, fluids, anti-nausea, pain-meds, etc.

[dsherman]

Thanks for the insight

[1fastRN]

Kidney stone is usually toradol and zofran. Fluids for most people unless comorbities can cause fluid over load.

Morphine or Dilaudid for those very distressed. I prefer when docs write for dilaudid over morphine though... Morphine seems to cause more nausea, wear off more suddenly causing break through pain. Dilaudid makes everyone happy lol all of a sudden the patient loves their nurse because the pain is gone. I will always advocate for dilaudid when morphine just isn't cutting it. That being said, we have some doctors that order dilaudid for everyone and others who let patients sit in pain until there is a legit dx.... and even then they barely medicate.

If it's gastritis or something they'll get pepcid and the pink cocktail maalox, lido, donnatol

[ChristineN, BSN, RN]

I feel there are too many causes of belly pain to give a blanket answer. Constipation, appendicitis, ovarian cyst, reflux, they all come with different treatment plans. Plus, as many pts have co-morbidities plans end up needing to be individualized.

[dsherman]

We only give ketorolac for kidney stones or drug seekers but our doctors usually go to hydromorphone first

[turnforthenurse, MSN, NP]

Depends on the cause. Kidney stones = tornado and Zofran. Usually everyone gets toradol and Zofran (if there are no contraindications) until the cause can be identified. Some docs will only give anti-emetics or something like Bentyl until the cause of the abdominal pain can be identified.