Assessing recurrent abdominal pain in children.
Recurrent abdominal pain is a frequent complaint of school-aged children. In 5-10 percent of the cases, RAP is the result of organic disease. Specific history and physical assessments are needed to detect organic disease. The assessment tool described in this article is a functional adjunct to a nurse practitioner's evaluation of RAP as well as of other recurrent pain. It provides additional information to identify less obvious organic causes and serves as a basis for involving the patient in development of a treatment plan.
D000005:Abdomen; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D009736:Nursing Process / Q000379:methods*; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012008:Recurrence; D012573:School Nursing