11. What are the pathological effects of peritonitis?
Correct answer: (1) Widespread absorption of toxins from the large, inflamed surface. (2) The associated paralytic ileus with: (a) loss of fluid, (b) loss of electrolytes, (c) loss of protein. (3) Gross abdominal distension with elevation of the diaphragm, which…
10. What is a rare gynaecological cause of peritonitis in young girls?
Correct answer: Pneumococcus.
9. Which types of bacteria are involved in peritonitis of blood-borne origin?
Correct answer: (1) Tuberculous. (2) Pneumococcal. (3) Streptococcal. (4) Staphylococcal.
8. Which bacteria are involved in peritonitis of gynaecological origin?
Correct answer: (1) Gonococcus.(2) Chlamydia.(3) Streptococcus.
7. Which bacteria are involved in peritonitis of bowel origin?
Correct answer: (1) Bacteroides.(2) Pseudomonas.(3) Clostridium.(4) Streptococcus.(5) Proteus.(6) Escherichia coli.(7) Klebsiella.
6. What is the pathology of peritonitis?
Correct answer: Peritonitis of bowel origin usually shows a mixed faecal flora (Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella and Proteus, together with anaerobic Clostridium and Bacteroides). Gynaecological infections may be chlamydial, gonococcal or streptococcal. Blood-borne peritonitis may be streptococcal, pneumococcal, staphylococcal or tuberculous. In young…
5. How can bacteria enter the peritoneal cavity via the female genital tract?
Correct answer: Acute salpingitis or puerperal infection.
4. How can bacteria enter the peritoneal cavity via the bloodstream? Which organisms are usually involved?
Correct answer: As part of septicaemia (pneumococcal, streptococcal or staphylococcal). This has wrongly been termed primary peritonitis; in fact, it is secondary to some initial source of infection.
3. How can bacteria enter the peritoneal cavity from intra-abdominal viscera?
Correct answer: (1) Gangrene of a viscus, e.g. acute appendicitis, acute cholecystitis, diverticulitis or infarction of the intestine.(2) Perforation of a viscus, e.g. perforated duodenal ulcer, perforated appendicitis, rupture of intestine from trauma.(3) Postoperative leakage of an intestinal suture line.
2. How can bacteria enter the peritoneal cavity from the exterior?
Correct answer: (1) Penetrating wound.(2) Infection at laparotomy.(3) Peritoneal dialysis.
