ADHS EMT Chapter 16 Test Review

Questions and Answers

Solid abdominal organs include the:

Spleen, kidneys, and pancreas (correct)

Gallbladder and large intestine

Stomach and small intestine

Urinary bladder, colon, and ureters

Which of the following organs would MOST likely bleed profusely if injured?

Gallbladder

Stomach

Appendix

Liver (correct)

Which of the following organs lies in the retroperitoneal space?

Gallbladder

Pancreas (correct)

Spleen

Liver

Injury to a hollow abdominal organ would MOST likely result in:

Leakage of contents into the abdominal cavity Signup and view all the answers

Functions of the liver include:

Production of substances necessary for blood clotting Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organs assists in the filtration of blood, serves as a blood reservoir, and produces antibodies?

Spleen Signup and view all the answers

The kidneys help to regulate blood pressure by:

Removing sodium, and thus water, from the body Signup and view all the answers

The parietal peritoneum lines the:

Walls of the abdominal cavity Signup and view all the answers

The MOST common and significant complication associated with an acute abdomen is:

Peritonitis Signup and view all the answers

In the presence of ileus, the only way the stomach can empty itself is by:

Vomiting Signup and view all the answers

Peritonitis may result in shock because:

Fluid shifts from the bloodstream into body tissues Signup and view all the answers

In contrast to the parietal peritoneum, the visceral peritoneum:

Is supplied by nerves of the autonomic nervous system, which are less able to localize pain or sensation Signup and view all the answers

Pain that may be perceived at a distant point on the surface of the body, such as the back or shoulder, is called:

Referred pain Signup and view all the answers

A 35-year-old mildly obese woman is complaining of localized pain in the right upper quadrant with referred pain to the right shoulder. The MOST likely cause of her pain is:

Acute cholecystitis Signup and view all the answers

A young female presents with costovertebral angle tenderness. She is conscious and alert with stable vital signs. Which of the following organs is MOST likely causing her pain?

Kidney Signup and view all the answers

Pain that is localized to the lower back and/or lower abdominal quadrants is MOST suggestive of:

An aortic aneurysm Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding the acute abdomen is correct?

The initial pain associated with an acute abdomen tends to be vague and poorly localized Signup and view all the answers

Erosion of the protective layer of the stomach or duodenum secondary to overactivity of digestive juices results in:

An ulcer Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is characteristic of peptic ulcer disease (PUD)?

Burning or pain in the stomach that subsides immediately after eating Signup and view all the answers

Pain that radiates to the right lower quadrant from the umbilical area, nausea and vomiting, and anorexia are MOST indicative of:

Appendicitis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding gastrointestinal bleeding is correct?

Bleeding within the gastrointestinal tract is a symptom of another disease, not a disease itself Signup and view all the answers

Esophageal varices MOST commonly occur in patients who:

Drink a lot of alcohol Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions is more common in women than in men?

Cystitis Signup and view all the answers

Chronic renal failure is a condition that:

Is often caused by hypertension or diabetes Signup and view all the answers

A strangulated hernia is one that:

Loses its blood supply due to compression by local tissues Signup and view all the answers

You are dispatched to an apartment complex for a young male with abdominal pain. Your priority upon arriving at the scene should be to:

Assess the scene for potential hazards Signup and view all the answers

Most patients with abdominal pain prefer to:

Lie on their side with their knees drawn into the abdomen Signup and view all the answers

A 30-year-old woman with a history of alcoholism presents with severe upper abdominal pain and is vomiting large amounts of bright red blood. Her skin is cool, pale, and clammy; her heart rate is 120 beats/min and weak; and her blood pressure is 70/50 mm Hg. Your MOST immediate action should be to:

Protect her airway from aspiration Signup and view all the answers

Patients with acute abdominal pain should not be given anything to eat or drink because:

Substances in the stomach increase the risk of aspiration Signup and view all the answers

When assessing a patient with abdominal pain, you should:

Palpate the abdomen in a clockwise direction beginning with the quadrant after the one the patient indicates is painful Signup and view all the answers

Elderly patients with abdominal problems may not exhibit the same pain response as younger patients because of:

Age-related deterioration of their sensory systems Signup and view all the answers

An important aspect in the treatment of a patient with severe abdominal pain is to:

Provide emotional support en route to the hospital Signup and view all the answers

A 47-year-old male presents with severe abdominal pain of 3 hours' duration. His abdomen is distended and guarded. Your MOST important consideration for this patient should be to:

Be alert for signs and symptoms of shock Signup and view all the answers

The MOST important treatment for a patient with severe abdominal pain and signs of shock includes:

Transporting the patient without delay Signup and view all the answers

A 59-year-old male presents with a sudden onset of severe lower back pain. He is conscious and alert, but very restless and diaphoretic. Your assessment reveals a pulsating mass to the left of his umbilicus. You should:

Administer oxygen and prepare for immediate transport Signup and view all the answers

You are transporting a 49-year-old male with 'tearing' abdominal pain. You are approximately 30 miles away from the closest hospital. During your reassessment, you determine that the patient's condition has deteriorated significantly. You should:

Consider requesting a rendezvous with an ALS unit Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding dialysis is correct?

Patients who miss a dialysis treatment often present with weakness Signup and view all the answers

You respond to the residence of a 70-year-old male who complains of weakness and severe shortness of breath. His wife tells you that he is a dialysis patient, but has missed his last two treatments. After applying high-flow oxygen, you auscultate his lungs and hear diffuse rhonchi. The patient is conscious, but appears confused. His blood pressure is 98/54 mm Hg, his pulse rate is 120 beats/min and irregular, and his respirations are 24 breaths/min and labored. You should:

Leave him in a sitting position, keep him warm, and prepare for immediate transport Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Abdominal Organ Characteristics

Solid abdominal organs include spleen, kidneys, and pancreas.
Organs most likely to bleed profusely if injured: liver.
Pancreas is located in the retroperitoneal space.
Injury to hollow organs leads to leakage of contents into the abdominal cavity.

Liver and Spleen Functions

Key function of the liver: production of substances necessary for blood clotting.
Spleen assists in blood filtration, serves as a reservoir, and produces antibodies.
Kidneys regulate blood pressure by removing sodium and water from the body.

Peritoneum

Parietal peritoneum lines the walls of the abdominal cavity.
Visceral peritoneum is supplied by autonomic nerves, making pain less localized.

Acute Abdomen and Complications

Most common complication of acute abdomen is peritonitis.
Patients with an acute abdomen report vague, poorly localized pain initially.
Erosion of the stomach or duodenum leads to peptic ulcers.

Pain and Symptoms

Referred pain may be felt in areas distant from the source, such as shoulder or back.
Classic signs of appendicitis include pain radiating to the right lower quadrant, nausea, and vomiting.
Costovertebral angle tenderness suggests kidney involvement.

Special Considerations in Patients

Elderly patients may show less pronounced pain responses due to age-related sensory system changes.
Patients with abdominal pain should be kept NPO (nothing by mouth) to prevent aspiration.

Assessment and Treatment

Initial assessment priority includes checking for hazards at the scene.
Patients typically prefer to lie on their side with knees drawn in due to pain.
High-flow oxygen should be administered if signs of shock are present.

Emergency Responses

Must transport patients with severe abdominal pain promptly, watching for signs of shock.
For patients with significant condition deterioration, consider contacting ALS for assistance.
Monitor vital signs, especially in dialysis patients who missed treatments, for indicators of shock.

Dialysis Insights

Missed dialysis treatments may lead to weakness and severe respiratory symptoms.
Purpose of dialysis: helps remove waste from the blood, not to retain salt and water.

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Description

Test your knowledge of solid abdominal organs and their injuries with this quiz from ADHS EMT Chapter 16. It covers critical concepts regarding anatomy and emergency response relevant to profuse bleeding organs. Ideal for those preparing for EMT certification.