Download Care of the Patient with an Abdominal Problem

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
PATIENT INFORMATION FOR YOUR CARE
Care of the Patient with an Abdominal Problem
(Abdominal Pain, Constipation, Urinary Tract Infection, Renal Colic)
□ Abdominal Pain – General Instructions
1. Abdominal (belly) pain can be caused by many different things. Most will go away on
their own, such as viral illnesses or a temporary gastrointestinal upset. Others will
require more tests or procedures.
2. Based on the assessment in the ED today, your doctor does not feel that you need surgery
or admission to hospital.
3. Your condition may change in the next few hours to days, so return to the ED or call your
primary care provider if:
a. The pain does not go away, becomes more severe, or changes in location
b. You are continuing to vomit or vomiting is more frequent
c. You develop a new fever over 38°C (100°F) or shaking chills, or your fever will
not go away
d. You see blood in your vomit, urine or bowel movements (blood in the stools may
be bright red or tarry black in appearance)
e. Your skin or eyes become yellow (jaundiced)
f. Your abdomen becomes swollen
g. You are unable to have a bowel movement or pass gas (fart)
h. You are not improving as expected.
4. You may eat and drink. We suggest that you start with clear fluids only, and progress
your diet to normal over the next 24-36 hours depending on how you feel.
□ Constipation
1. Avoiding constipation is much easier than treating it once it occurs. Try to eat a healthy
and varied diet including lots of fruit and vegetables, fluids, and fibre.
2. The single most important thing to do if you are constipated is drink lots of fluids,
including fruit juices.
3. Good sources of fibre include fruits and vegetables, whole grains, oatmeal, and bran.
Helpful fibre supplements include psyllium-containing products (e.g. Metamucil).
4. Non-stimulant laxatives (e.g. lactulose, polyethylene glycol, PEG) are effective
treatments in most people, and cause less cramping than the stimulants. They will not
make your bowel lazy or dependent on the medication.
5. Stimulant laxatives (e.g. Senekot) are more powerful but cause more cramps. They can
make your bowel lazy if used chronically.
6. See your primary care provider or return to the ED if:
a. You develop severe abdominal pain
b. You develop a fever
c. You have red blood in your stools
These instructions are not intended to be all-inclusive, and may not cover all possibilities. If a new problem develops, or if you have any further
concerns or questions please contact your primary care provider, Telehealth Ontario at (866) 797-0000, or return to the ER.
Royal Victoria Hospital of Barrie, 201 Georgian Drive, Barrie, Ontario L4M 6M2 (705) 728-9802 www.rvh.on.ca
RVH-3284 (Rev Nov 29, 2006)
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
PATIENT INFORMATION FOR YOUR CARE
□ Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
1. Your doctor may have given you antibiotics to treat the infection. Take the pills until
they are all gone, even if you are feeling better.
2. You may have been given a medicine called Pyridium (phenazopyridine). This is a
painkiller for your bladder and will help decrease the burning associated with UTI. Do
not worry if your urine turns orange – this is normal with Pyridium.
3. Pyridium may also stain contact lenses orange.
4. Drink lots of fluids.
5. See your primary care provider or return to the ED if:
a. You develop a fever, or if you already had one, it does not go away
b. You develop back pain, or if you already had it, it does not go away
c. You cannot take your pills because of nausea or vomiting
d. Your symptoms have not improved after 48 hours of antibiotics
e. You cannot urinate because of the pain. If urinating is very sore, you may find it
more comfortable to urinate while sitting in the bathtub in warm water.
□ Renal Colic (Kidney Stones)
1. You should drink plenty of fluid (at least 6-8 glasses a day) to help move the stone along.
2. Take painkillers and other medications as prescribed.
3. You should be provided with a filter to urinate through. This is to try to catch the stone.
If you see the stone, place it in a clean jar or bottle and take it to your follow up
appointment or your primary physician.
4. You will see Dr. ________________ for follow up.
 Your appointment is at ___________ (time) on _____________(date)
OR
 You will be contacted with your appointment date and time
OR
 You should call ______________ to book an appointment.
5. Return to the ER if:
a. You develop a fever or chills
b. You have severe pain that is not controlled with medication at home
c. You cannot take your medication due to nausea or vomiting
d. You are unable to urinate
These instructions are not intended to be all-inclusive, and may not cover all possibilities. If a new problem develops, or if you have any further
concerns or questions please contact your primary care provider, Telehealth Ontario at (866) 797-0000, or return to the ER.
Royal Victoria Hospital of Barrie, 201 Georgian Drive, Barrie, Ontario L4M 6M2 (705) 728-9802 www.rvh.on.ca
RVH-3284 (Rev Nov 29, 2006)