Sample interview questions: Describe your experience with patients who have experienced acute appendicitis.
Sample answer:
Experience with Patients Experiencing Acute Appendicitis
As an experienced ER Nurse, I have encountered numerous patients presenting with symptoms of acute appendicitis. These patients typically display:
- Abdominal pain: Sudden onset of sharp, localized pain in the right lower quadrant, which may migrate around the umbilicus and then settle in the right iliac fossa.
- Nausea and vomiting: Accompanying the abdominal pain, patients may experience nausea and vomiting.
- Fever and chills: Mild fever and chills may be present as the appendix becomes inflamed.
- Anorexia: Loss of appetite is common.
- Bowel habit changes: Patients may report diarrhea or constipation as the inflamed appendix obstructs the bowel.
- Right lower quadrant tenderness: Upon physical examination, tenderness and guarding are present in the right lower quadrant.
Management
The primary treatment for acute appendicitis is surgical removal of the inflamed appendix (appendectomy). While awaiting surgery, I provide the following nursing interventions: