Final answer:
Acute pancreatitis can be diagnosed through various physical exam findings, including abdominal tenderness, guarding, jaundice, and fever.
Step-by-step explanation:
Acute pancreatitis is inflammation of the pancreas, which can be diagnosed through various physical exam findings. Some common physical exam findings that suggest acute pancreatitis include:
- Abdominal tenderness: The patient may experience tenderness or pain in the abdomen, particularly in the upper abdomen.
- Guarding: The patient may exhibit involuntary tightening of the abdominal muscles to protect the inflamed pancreas.
- Jaundice: Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes is a common sign of pancreatitis.
- Fever: The patient may have an elevated body temperature.
Additional diagnostic tests, such as blood tests and imaging studies like ultrasound and CT scan, can also be used to confirm the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.