Test yourself
Abdominal wall hernia: stand them up and make it cough
3 questions. Pick an answer to see whether you are right and why. Your score appears at the end.
Question 1What is the most useful step when a suspected hernia is not visible in a supine patient at rest?
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Answer c. Raised abdominal pressure pushes contents through the defect. Many small hernias only appear with cough, Valsalva or standing.
Question 2Which finding defines an incarcerated hernia?
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Answer d. Incarceration means the contents are trapped. Pain, tenderness and bowel wall changes raise concern for strangulation.
Question 3Which finding in a non-reducible hernia raises concern for strangulation?
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Answer d. Loss of blood flow, wall thickening, fluid in the sac and absent peristalsis suggest compromised bowel. The patient needs urgent surgical review.
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Four or five delegates per instructor, FAMUS-accredited faculty and long, supervised time on the probe.
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