Abdominal and Pelvic Trauma Flashcards
How many times should the pelvis be manipulated during the exam of a trauma patient with concern for pelvic hemorrhage?
Only once as additional manipulation may cause extra bleeding
What are indications for a retrograde urethrogram prior to insertion of a Foley catheter?
High-riding/non-palpable prostate Blood at urethral meatus Perineal hematoma/ecchymosis Inability to void Unstable pelvic fracture
A patient presents with multi-system trauma, including to the head, with broken facial bones. You want to decompress the stomach to reduce risk of aspiration when ventilating. What type of device do you pass for the decompression and why?
Oropharyngeal decompression rather than a nasopharyngeal decompression because of the facial fractures (there is a small risk of passing a NG through the cribriform plate and into the brain)
What needs to be aspirated through a DPL needle in a hemodynamically compromised patient to mandate a laparotomy?
Free blood, bile, vegetable fibers, or GI contents
Should CT be used in the evaluation of the abdomen of a trauma patient?
Only when they are hemodynamically stable and there is not immediate need for laparotomy
If you know a patient will need to be transferred to another facility should you proceed with imaging tests and exams?
No, just transfer them if they’re stable
What is the management of a patient with an abdominal gunshot wound?
Emergent laparotomy
What role does serum amylase have in evaluating pancreatic trauma?
Not much. If normal it doesn’t exclude injury but if it’s rising over time it may indicate injury
The presence of a seat-belt sign or lumbar distraction fracture (Chance fracture) should increase suspicion for what abdominal injury?
Hollow viscous injury
