Abdominal Rigidity

What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office

You will probably be seen in an emergency room rather than with your usual health care provider.

The healthe care provider will obtain your medical history and will perform a physical examination. Until a diagnosis is made, pain relievers will probably not be administered because they may mask the symptoms.

Medical history questions documenting abdominal rigidity in detail may include:

• When did you first notice this symptom?
• What other symptoms are occurring at the same time? Especially, is there abdominal pain?

The physical examination may include a pelvic (and possibly a rectal) examination.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:

• Blood tests
• Urine tests
• Colonoscopy
• Gastroscopy
• Peritoneal lavage
• Stool studies
• X-ray of the chest
• X-ray of the abdomen
• Barium studies of the stomach and intestines (such as an upper GI series)