Abdominal Emergencies Flashcards
1
Q
Solid organs
A
Vascular (contains many vessels and a large amount of blood)
2
Q
Hollow organs
A
Contain some type of substance (poop) that might leak into the abdominal cavity if the organ is perforated or injured.
3
Q
Mechanisms of Abdominal pain
A
- Mechanical forces (stretching)
- Inflammation
- Ischemia (organ/tissue hypoxia)
4
Q
Visceral pain
A
- The organ itself is involved
- Organs do not have large amount of nerves so it’s hard to pin point pain
5
Q
Parietal Pain (somatic)
A
- Inflammation of the lining of the ABDM cavity (peritoneum)
- More intense
6
Q
Referred Pain
A
- Visceral Pain felt elsewhere
- Organ shares a nerve pathway with skin
7
Q
Peritonitis
A
- Inflammation of the peritoneum, lining of the ABDM cavity
- Blood, pus, Bacteria, or chemical substances leak into ABDM cavity
- Effects depends on type of amount of irritant
- Type/Degree of Pain does not indicate severity of the problem
8
Q
Peritonitis S/Sx
A
- ABDM Pain/tenderness
- N/V
- Diarrhea
- Fever/chills
- Lack of appetite
- ABDM distention
9
Q
Appendicitis
A
- Inflammation of the appendix
- Usually caused by a blockage
- Untreated the tissue can die and rupture
- Needs surgery
10
Q
Appendicitis S/Sx
A
- ABDM Pain/cramping can be dull/ diffuse around the navel to start
- Later will be localized to the RLQ
- N/V
- Fever/chills
- Lack of appetite
- ABDM guarding
11
Q
Pancreatitis
A
- Inflammation of the pancreas
- Severe Pain in the middle of the upper quadrants (epigastric area)
- Some possible light radiation to the back
- Caused by alcohol, gallstones, infections
- Can lead to sepsis, bleeding, tissue death, & sugar regulation issues.
12
Q
Pancreatitis S/Sx
A
- ABDM Pain
- N/V
- ABDM distention
- Mild jaundice, depending on the cause
- Severe ABDM Pain radiating from navel to back and shoulders
- Fever rapid pulse Sx of shock
13
Q
Cholecystitis
A
- Inflammation of the gallbladder
- presence of gallstones
- more common in women age 30-50
- Stones can block the opening of the gallbladder to the small intestine
- Need hospitalization possible removal of gallbladder
- Can lead to tissue death & pancreatitis
14
Q
Cholecystitis S/Sx
A
- Sudden onset of ABDM Pain middle of upper quadrants to RUQ
- More common at night associated with digestion of fatty foods
- Referred Pain R scapula
- Tenderness on palpation of RUQ
- Burps & Heartburn
- N/V May be greenish
15
Q
Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding
A
- Can be upper or lower
- Upper caused by ulcers, and varices
- Upper more common in men
- Lower caused frequently by diverticulosis
- Lower more common in women
- GI bleeding effects people 40-70
- Most death occur after 60
16
Q
GI bleeding S/Sx
A
- ABDM Pain/tenderness
- (Hematemesis) vomiting blood can be bright red or look like coffee grounds
- (Hematochezia) bright red blood in the stool
- (Melena) dark tarry stools
- ALOC
- Tachycardia
- Sx of shock
17
Q
Esophageal Varices
A
- Bulging and weakening of the blood vessels in the lower part of the esophagus
- Heavy alcohol drinkers
- Pt’s with liver disease
- Increased venous pressure
- Usually painless
18
Q
Esophageal Varices S/Sx
A
- Large amounts of bright red blood in the vomit (Be ready to suction)
- No ABDM Pain
- Rapid pulse
- SOB
- Pale, cool, clammy skin
- Sx of shock
- Possible jaundice
19
Q
Gastroenteritis
A
- Inflammation of the stomach and small intestines
- Result of an infection
- Normally cause by viruses or bacteria
- Can lead to dehydration, hemorrhage, blood in stool and vomit
20
Q
Gastroenteritis S/Sx
A
- ABDM Pain/cramping
- N/V
- Diarrhea
- Tenderness
- Fever/Dehydration
- Sx of shock with hemorrhage
21
Q
Ulcers
A
- Open wounds or sores in the digestive tract
- Usually in the stomach or the beginning of the small intestine
- Breakdown the lining of the stomach or intestine leads to bleeding
22
Q
Ulcers S/Sx
A
- Sudden onset of ABDM Pain
- LUQ and epigastric area, described as burning
- N/V
- Blood in poop/ vomit
- Sx of shock
- Rigid ABDM
23
Q
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
A
- weakened, Balloon area of the ABDM aorta
- same causes and Sx as aortic aneurysm just located lower in the ABDM
- The EMT May not be able to tell the difference
- Must get to surgery
- Tx is position of comfort
24
Q
AAA S/Sx
A
- Gradual onset of lower lumbar, groin, ABDM Pain, acute pain with rupture
- Radiating “tearing” pain to go back
- Pale cool, clammy skin Sx of shock
- Possible Cyanosis below rupture site
- Unequal BPs and pulses
- Late Sx pulsating mass
