Author: Norbert Wrobel, Graham Johnson / Editor: Sarah Edwards / Codes: / Published: 23/05/2025
The patient is a lady in her 60s, arriving to resus with 12-hour history of moderate upper abdominal pain, which radiates to both shoulders. She appears pale and unwell.
She returned from a holiday in Spain a few days ago, where she had a mild febrile illness.
Her initial observations show a BP of 81/43 mmHg, HR of 82, with normal sats and temperature. Her PMHx includes hypertension and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.
There is no history of any trauma or injury.
On examination the patient looks pale and has a raised BMI. Her abdomen is soft, with tenderness over the epigastrium and left upper quadrant.