Abdominal pain differential diagnosis
FSP/KP pack: differential diagnosis station
Theory
Theory 1: Station focus
Abdominal pain tests localization, surgical red flags, pregnancy/urinary questions and differential diagnosis.
- Pain site and migration.
- Fever, vomiting, guarding or peritonism.
- Pregnancy status, urinary symptoms and bowel changes.
Theory 2: Reasoning path
The first decision is whether the patient needs urgent surgical or emergency assessment.
- Identify the immediate risk.
- Choose the safest first action.
- Explain why the distractors are weaker.
Theory 3: Expected output
The candidate should localize pain, identify red flags and present the likely differential.
- Focused abdominal history.
- Red flag and pregnancy screen.
- Urgent review if guarding or sepsis.
Vocabulary and model dialogue
Doctor: Did the pain start around the centre and move to the lower right side?
Patient: Yes, and I feel feverish.
Doctor: I need to examine your abdomen and ask the surgical team to review you urgently.
Practice
Practice 1: Stem analysis
A patient has worsening right lower abdominal pain, fever, nausea and localized tenderness.
Output: Age, timing, symptoms, vital risk and one missing question.Practice 2: First action
Choose the first safe action: Assess for peritonism, check observations and request urgent surgical review.
Output: One action plus clinical reason.Practice 3: Differential
Compare Suspected appendicitis with two alternatives.
Output: Three-line differential table.Practice 4: Exam response
Write focused history questions and a short escalation handover.
Output: 10 questions + SBAR.Interactive tasks
Interactive 1: Red-flag sort
Sort findings from "Abdominal pain differential diagnosis" into urgent and non-urgent details.
Interactive 2: Distractor removal
Remove the least plausible option from: Simple indigestion, Routine dental pain, Stable chronic back pain.
Interactive 3: Timed response
Give a 90-second exam answer using the station output steps.
Quiz
Migration/localized right lower tenderness and fever are typical for suspected appendicitis.
The safest answer addresses the immediate clinical risk first.
Exam documentation must record the detail that changes management.
Safe exams include patient understanding and escalation advice.
The station expects a short, defensible clinical chain.