Overview
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a permanent, focal dilation of the infrarenal aorta to ≥3 cm (or 1.5× the normal diameter of ~2 cm), most commonly involving the segment be...
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a permanent, focal dilation of the infrarenal aorta to ≥3 cm (or >1.5× the normal diameter of ~2 cm), most commonly involving the segment below the renal arteries. When an AAA ruptures, mortality exceeds 80%—and roughly half of patients die before reaching the operating room. Missing an expanding or ruptured AAA is a catastrophic failure. Top 3 Nursing Priorities: 1. Recognize the classic triad of rupture: sudden severe tearing/ripping abdominal or back pain, pulsatile abdominal mass, and hypotension. 2. Maintain hemodynamic stability (permissive hypotension targeting SBP 70–90 mmHg until surgical clamping is achieved to prevent clot disruption). 3. Prepare for emergent surgical or endovascular repair—establish two large-bore IVs (≥16G), type-and-crossmatch, activate massive transfusion protocol. Classic NCLEX Trap: Nurses may confuse AAA with renal colic or musculoskeletal back pain. AAA pain does NOT change with position and is often accompanied by a pulsatile epigastric mass. Any male >65 with sudden severe back/flank pain and hypotension = AAA until proven otherwise. On the exam, writers often pair stable-sounding options with unstable data—notice the mismatch before you...
