Nausea and vomiting

Background

Nausea and Vomiting Algorithm

Clinical Features

DDX by organ system

GI

Neurologic

Infectious

  • Bacterial toxins
  • PNA
  • SBP
  • UTI
  • Viruses (adeno, norwalk, rota

Drugs/Toxins

  • Toxic doses
    • Digoxin
    • ASA
    • APAP
  • NSAIDs
  • Opiates
  • ETOH
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Abx
  • Antiarrhythmics
  • Toxins
    • Organophosphates
    • CO
    • Ricin

Endocrine

Miscellaneous

DDx by Severity

Critical

Emergent

Nonemergent

  • Gastritis
  • Gastroparesis
  • PUD
  • Gastroenteritis
  • Biliary colic
  • Hepatitis
  • Thyroid
  • Pregnancy
  • Erythromycin
  • Ibuprofen
  • Chemotherapy
  • Narcotics/wdwl from
  • ETOH
  • UTI
  • Renal colic
  • Motion sickness
  • Labyrinthitis

Diagnosis

Work-Up

  • CBC
  • Chemistry
  • Urine pregnancy
  • LFTs
  • Lipase
  • APAP, ASA, digoxin levels
  • UA
  • ?Abd xray
  • ?CT
  • ?US

Evaluation

Management

Disposition

Complications

  • Hypovolemia
  • Metabolic alkalosis
  • Hypokalemia
  • Mallory-Weiss (tear)
  • Boerhaave (rupture)
  • Aspiration

Peds

Newborn 
Obstructive intestinal anomalies Esophageal stenosis/atresia, pyloric stenosis, intestinal stenosis/atresia, malrotation ± volvulus, incarcerated hernia, meconium ileus/plug, Hirschsprung disease, imperforate anus, enteric duplications
Neurologic Intracranial bleed/mass, hydrocephalus, cerebral edema, kernicterus
Renal Urinary tract infection, obstructive uropathy, renal insufficiency
Infectious Viral illness, gastroenteritis, meningitis, sepsis
Metabolic/endocrine Inborn errors of metabolism (urea cycle, amino/organic acid, carbohydrate), congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Miscellaneous Ileus, gastroesophageal reflux, necrotizing enterocolitis, milk allergy, GI perforation
Infant (<12 mo) 
Obstructive intestinal anomalies Pyloric stenosis, malrotation ± volvulus, incarcerated hernia, Hirschsprung disease, enteric duplications, intussusception, foreign body, bezoars, Meckel diverticulum
Neurologic Intracranial bleed/mass, hydrocephalus, cerebral edema
Renal Urinary tract infection, obstructive uropathy, renal insufficiency
Infectious Viral illness, gastroenteritis, meningitis, sepsis, otitis media, pneumonia, pertussis, hepatitis
Metabolic/endocrine Inborn errors of metabolism, adrenal insufficiency, renal tubular acidosis
Miscellaneous Ileus, gastroesophageal reflux, post-tussive, peritonitis, drug overdose
Child (>12 mo)   
Obstructive intestinal anomalies Malrotation ± volvulus, incarcerated hernia, Hirschsprung disease, intussusception, foreign body, bezoars, Meckel diverticulum, acquired esophageal stricture, peptic ulcer disease, adhesions, superior mesenteric artery syndrome
Neurologic Intracranial bleed/mass, cerebral edema, postconcussive, migraine
Renal Urinary tract infection, obstructive uropathy, renal insufficiency
Infectious Viral illness, gastroenteritis, meningitis, sepsis, otitis media, pneumonia, hepatitis, streptococcal pharyngitis
Metabolic/endocrine Inborn errors of metabolism, adrenal insufficiency, renal tubular acidosis, diabetes mellitus, Reye syndrome, porphyria
Miscellaneous Ileus, gastroesophageal reflux, post-tussive, peritonitis, drug overdose, appendicitis, pancreatitis, gastritis, Crohn disease, pregnancy, psychogenic, cyclic vomiting syndrome

See Also

References