Etymed
peritonitis
Definition
inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane lining the abdominal cavity
Clinical context
A 28-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain that started as a dull ache in the epigastric region but migrated to the right lower quadrant over the past 6 hours. She has vomited twice and has a fever of 102.4°F. On examination, her abdomen is rigid with rebound tenderness in the right lower quadrant. Imaging reveals free fluid and thickened bowel walls. The patient is diagnosed with perforated appendicitis leading to generalized peritonitis.
Mnemonic
PERITONITIS = Pain, Elevation, Rebound, Tenderness, Infection, Nausea, Vomiting, Fever