A patient experiencing referred pain from a disease process in the liver may experience discomfort in the
a. back and left shoulder. c. right upper quadrant of the abdomen.
b. right shoulder. d. left upper quadrant of the abdomen.
B
Pain that is felt at a particular site, but originates from another location is termed "referred pain." Both sites are innervated by the same spinal nerve, and it is difficult for the brain to differentiate the point of origin. In referred pain, the sensory cortex perceives pain via nerve fibers where the internal abdominal organs were located in fetal development. Although the organ migrates during fetal development, its nerves persist in referring sensations from the former location. A patient experiencing referred pain from a disease process in the liver may experience the discomfort in the right shoulder. Pancreatitis pain is felt in the back and left shoulder.
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A patient who is 2 days post–myocardial infarction has been eating well, ambulating with assistance, and receiving antibiotics and morphine by IV drip. The patient complains of constipation this morning
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A middle-aged male client presents to the primary care clinic with complaints of increasing fatigue. He denies any recent acute or chronic medical problems. He works as a computer programmer and spends hours each day sitting
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