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Updated: Feb 16, 2026

Author Spotlight: Quantifying Pain Experience – An Illustrative Approach Using the Pain Body Diagram
Published on: July 7, 2023
Assessing Acute Abdominal Pain
Abstract:
In brief The etiology of abdominal pain is diverse, but, for immediate purposes, the team physician must simply focus on whether the process requires surgical intervention. An effective history includes a detailed description of the pain and its onset, and an accounting of associated symptoms and events. Pain from a serious condition typically arises suddenly and is continuous, progressively worse, and long lasting; begins during inactivity; and is not near the umbilicus. Portions of the physical exam that require physical contact should begin farthest away from the site of maximal pain. Auscultation should precede palpation to avoid alteration of peristalsis.
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