Gastrointestinal and Urologic Emergencies Chapter 18

Questions and Answers

Solid abdominal organs include the:

Liver

Kidneys (correct)

Pancreas (correct)

Spleen (correct)

What should an EMT suspect for a 60-year-old female with a tearing sensation in her lower back, sweaty skin, and tachycardia?

Aortic aneurysm

What is the MOST important consideration for a 47-year-old male with severe abdominal pain and signs of shock?

Be alert for signs and symptoms of shock.

Urinary tract infections are more common in ____________.

women Signup and view all the answers

Which statement regarding dialysis is correct?

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

When assessing a patient with abdominal pain, how should you palpate the abdomen?

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

Which intervention may help reduce your patient's nausea?

Low-flow oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What should be your MOST immediate action for a woman with severe abdominal pain and vomiting bright red blood?

Protect her airway from aspiration. Signup and view all the answers

What is a strangulated hernia?

A hernia that loses its blood supply due to compression by local tissues. Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST important treatment for a patient with severe abdominal pain and signs of shock?

Transporting the patient without delay. Signup and view all the answers

Which organ lies in the retroperitoneal space?

Pancreas Signup and view all the answers

How do the kidneys help to regulate blood pressure?

By removing sodium and water from the body. Signup and view all the answers

In contrast to the parietal peritoneum, what is true about the visceral peritoneum?

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

What is correct about the secondary assessment for a high-priority patient?

You may not have time to complete a secondary assessment. Signup and view all the answers

What are some functions of the liver?

Secretion of bile and filtration of toxic substances. Signup and view all the answers

What is characteristic of peptic ulcer disease (PUD)?

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

What condition is often caused by hypertension or diabetes?

Chronic renal failure. Signup and view all the answers

Your patient complains of abdominal pain that occurs mostly at night or after eating fatty foods. You should suspect ____________.

cholecystitis Signup and view all the answers

The parietal peritoneum lines the:

Walls of the abdominal cavity. Signup and view all the answers

For a patient with a gastrointestinal complaint, it is MOST important for the EMT to _________.

identify whether the patient requires rapid transport. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Solid Abdominal Organs

Solid abdominal organs: spleen, kidneys, pancreas.

Aortic Aneurysm

Tearing sensation in the lower back, sweaty skin, tachycardia suggests aortic aneurysm.

Abdominal Pain and Shock

Severe abdominal pain, distention, guarding in patients requires vigilance for shock symptoms.

Urinary Tract Infections

Women are more prone to urinary tract infections.

Dialysis Treatment Impact

Missing dialysis increases weakness in patients.

Abdomen Assessment Technique

Palpate the abdomen in a clockwise direction, starting with the next quadrant after the painful one.

Nausea Relief Methods

Administering low-flow oxygen may help reduce nausea.

Airway Protection in Emergencies

Protect the airway from aspiration for patients with severe upper abdominal pain and vomiting, especially in those with a history of alcoholism.

Strangulated Hernia

A strangulated hernia loses blood supply due to local tissue compression.

Abdominal Pain and Transport

Immediate transport is the most critical treatment for severe abdominal pain with signs of shock.

Retroperitoneal Organs

The pancreas is located in the retroperitoneal space.

Blood Pressure Regulation

Kidneys help regulate blood pressure by removing sodium and water from the body.

Peritoneum and Pain Localization

Visceral peritoneum is innervated by the autonomic nervous system, making it less effective at localizing pain compared to parietal peritoneum.

High-Priority Patient Assessment

A secondary assessment may not be feasible for high-priority patients.

Liver Functions

Liver functions include bile secretion and the filtration of toxic substances.

Peptic Ulcer Disease Symptoms

Characteristic of peptic ulcer disease: burning stomach pain that subsides after eating.

Causes of Chronic Renal Failure

Chronic renal failure is commonly caused by hypertension or diabetes.

Cholecystitis Symptoms

Abdominal pain occurring mostly at night or after fatty meals indicates cholecystitis.

Peritoneum's Role

The parietal peritoneum lines the abdominal cavity's walls.

EMT Transport Decisions

Identifying the need for rapid transport is crucial for patients with gastrointestinal complaints.

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Test your knowledge with these flashcards on gastrointestinal and urologic emergencies as covered in Chapter 18. From identifying solid abdominal organs to recognizing symptoms in patients, this quiz is essential for medical students and professionals alike.