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Table 3 Pitfalls in the evaluation of abdominal pain in the elderly

From: Abdominal emergencies in the geriatric patient

 

Pitfalls

1.

Relying on normal laboratory results to rule out AMI.

2.

Misdiagnosing AMI as gastroenteritis.

3.

Relying too heavily on classic presentations of common illnesses in the elderly.

4.

Over-reliance on a positive urinalysis as indicating the cause of acute abdominal pain.

5.

Relying on classic findings and history to rule out appendicitis.

6.

Expecting abdominal rigidity when considering a visceral perforation.