Final answer:
An iatrogenic bowel perforation presents with severe abdominal pain, peritonitis, nausea, and fever. It is a critical condition requiring immediate medical attention involving a CT scan for diagnosis, emergency surgery, and intensive antibiotic treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Iatrogenic Bowel Perforation Presentation
An iatrogenic bowel perforation is a hole that occurs in the bowel wall as a result of medical intervention. This critical condition can manifest through various symptoms such as severe abdominal pain, signs of peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum), nausea, fever, and a sudden change in vital signs indicating septic shock. Additional indications include lack of appetite, bloating, and the possibility of watery diarrhea. A bowel perforation allows digestive contents to leak into the sterile peritoneal cavity, resulting in chemical and possibly bacterial peritonitis, which can lead to severe septicemia and potentially be fatal if not promptly treated.
Medical imaging, typically a CT scan, is often used for diagnosis, and treatment usually involves emergency surgery paired with intensive antibiotic therapy. The urgency and severity of the situation may necessitate complete bowel rest and hospitalization to prevent further complications or death.