Questions and Answers
Accumulation of blood in the abdominal cavity will MOST likely cause:
Assuming that no obvious signs of intra-abdominal injury are present, which of the following injuries would MOST likely cause an injury to the liver or spleen to be overlooked?
Bruising to the right upper quadrant of the abdomen following blunt trauma is MOST suggestive of injury to the:
Contraction or tensing of the abdominal muscles in an effort to ease pain is called:
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During your assessment of a patient who experienced blunt trauma to the abdomen, you notice bruising around the umbilicus. This is a sign of:
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Early bruising following abdominal trauma often manifests as:
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Peritonitis usually occurs when:
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The mesentery is:
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The presence of tachycardia following a significant abdominal injury:
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When worn properly, a seatbelt should lie:
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The MOST appropriate treatment for a patient with an avulsion to his penis is:
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Abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever are most likely due to _____
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All of the following are hollow abdominal organs, EXCEPT the:
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Because the depth of an open abdominal wound is often difficult to determine:
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Compression injury is most likely due to which of the following?
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Difficulty breathing and a sunken appearance of the anterior abdominal wall is MOST indicative of a ruptured:
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In pediatric patients, the liver and spleen are _____
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Injuries to the external male genitalia _____
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Placing a pregnant patient in a supine position during the third trimester of pregnancy:
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When a hollow organ is punctured during a penetrating injury to the abdomen:
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When a patient stiffens the muscles of the abdomen, it is known as _____
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When should you visually inspect the external genitalia on your patient?
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Which of the following is true regarding injury to the kidneys?
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Which of the following organs would MOST likely bleed profusely when injured?
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Which of the following statements regarding abdominal eviscerations is correct?
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You are transporting a 42-year-old male who experienced blunt abdominal trauma. He is receiving oxygen at 12 L/min via a non-rebreathing mask. During your reassessment, you note his level of consciousness has decreased and his respirations have become shallow. You should:
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You are transporting a patient with blunt abdominal trauma. The patient is unstable and is experiencing obvious signs and symptoms of shock. After treating the patient appropriately, you should:
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You should suspect a kidney injury anytime the patient presents with _____
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Your documentation on a sexual assault victim should _____
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Your presence is requested by law enforcement to assess a 33-year-old female who was sexually assaulted. The patient is conscious and obviously upset. You note an impressive amount of blood on her clothes. You should:
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Study Notes
Abdominal and Genitourinary Injuries
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Abdominal Distention: Accumulation of blood in the abdominal cavity often leads to distention, a key indicator of internal injuries.
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Injury Overlook: A shoulder fracture can cause injuries to the liver or spleen to be missed due to the lack of clear external signs.
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Liver Injury Indicators: Bruising in the right upper quadrant suggests possible liver injury, a critical consideration during assessment.
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Guarding Response: Guarding refers to the abdominal muscles tensing due to pain, indicating potential injury.
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Umbilical Bruising: Bruising around the umbilicus can signal intra-abdominal bleeding, warranting immediate evaluation.
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Bruising Manifestation: Early bruising post-abdominal trauma may show as red areas of skin rather than darker colors.
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Peritonitis Cause: This condition often arises when hollow abdominal organs rupture, spilling contents into the abdominal cavity.
Anatomical and Physiological Concepts
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Mesentery Definition: The mesentery is a membranous fold that anchors intestines to body walls, crucial for structural stability.
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Sign of Shock: Tachycardia following significant abdominal trauma should be viewed as a potential indicator of shock.
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Proper Seatbelt Placement: A correctly worn seatbelt lies below the anterior superior iliac spines and against the hip joints to minimize injury risk.
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Penile Avulsion Treatment: Direct pressure with a dry, sterile dressing is vital for managing bleeding after penile avulsion.
Symptoms and Management
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Fever and Abdominal Pain: These symptoms, along with vomiting, typically point toward infection, a serious concern.
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Hollow vs Solid Organs: The spleen is a solid organ, crucial to note when assessing for abdominal injuries, as other organs may bleed if hollow organs are impacted.
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Emergency Transport: Due to the uncertainty of abdominal wound depth, prompt transport to a hospital is crucial for appropriate care.
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Compression Injury Cause: These injuries are often linked to improperly placed seatbelts, stressing the importance of safe driving practices.
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Respiratory Complication: Difficulty breathing paired with a sunken abdominal wall may indicate a ruptured diaphragm, requiring urgent attention.
Pediatric and Genitourinary Considerations
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Pediatric Organ Size: In children, the liver and spleen are proportionally larger compared to the abdomen, increasing risk of injury.
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External Genitalia Injury: Injuries to external male genitalia are typically not life-threatening, but care must still be taken to assess and treat them properly.
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Supine Position Concerns: In late pregnancy, a supine position may lead to hypotension by compressing large vessels, potentially jeopardizing maternal-fetal circulation.
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Delayed Peritonitis: After hollow organ puncture, signs of peritonitis may not manifest for several hours, complicating timely diagnosis.
Patient Assessment and Documentation
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Repeated Guarding: When a patient stiffens abdominal muscles, this is known as guarding, a protective reflex indicating pain.
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Visual Inspection Protocol: External genitalia should only be visually inspected if there are complaints of severe pain or related injuries.
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Kidney Injury Association: Kidney injuries frequently indicate potential damage to other abdominal organs due to their vulnerable positioning.
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Organ Bleeding Risk: The liver is among the organs that can bleed profusely when injured, making it crucial to assess during emergency situations.
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Evisceration Care: In cases of abdominal evisceration, warming and moistening protruding organs can prevent further complications.
Handling Critical Situations
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Subsequent Monitoring: Patients with blunt abdominal trauma in shock should be closely monitored and reassessed frequently during transport.
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Kidney Injury Suspicions: A hematoma in the flank region is a strong indicator of possible kidney injury and warrants careful evaluation.
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Objective Documentation: Documenting information about sexual assault victims should be objective and fact-based, avoiding subjective language or personal opinions.
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Sexual Assault Response: In cases of sexual assault with bleeding, immediate actions should focus on controlling bleeding, oxygen administration, and transport.
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Description
Test your knowledge on abdominal and genitourinary injuries with these flashcards from EMT Chapter 30. This quiz covers key concepts and terms essential for understanding trauma assessment and management in emergency medical situations. Challenge yourself and reinforce your learning today!