Abdominal & Genitourinary Injuries Flashcards
Major body cavity extending from the diaphragm to the pelvis
Abdomen
Overlooked genitourinary injury can increase the patient’s risk for ___
- Incontinence
- Infertility
- Impotence
- Other life-altering consequences
In pediatric patients, the ___ are very large in proportion to the size of the abdominal cavity
Liver and spleen
Hollow organs
- Stomach
- Large and small intestines
- Gallbladder
- Ureters
- Urinary bladder
Lining of the abdominal cavity
Peritoneum
Peritonitis
Inflammation and pain of the peritoneum
First signs of peritonitis
Severe abdominal pain, tenderness, and muscular spasm
Parts of the small intestine
- Duodenum
- Jejunum
- Ileum
Parts the large intestine
- Cecum
- Colon
- Rectum
Intestinal blood supply comes from the ___
Mesentery
An fold of tissue that attaches an organ to the body wall
Mesentery
A fold of tissue that contains a web of vessels, both arteries and veins, as well as nerves and lymphatic tissues. It connects the small intestine to the posterior of the abdominal wall
Intestinal mesentery
Patients with injuries to the intestinal mesentery can ___
Bleed significantly into the peritoneal cavity
Solid masses of tissue
Solid organs
Solid organs
- Liver
- Spleen
- Pancreas
- Kidneys
Organs in geriatric patients particularly vulnerable during a fall
Aorta, liver, and spleen
In later stages of pregnancy, the gravid uterus displaces the ___
Urinary bladder to the anterior
Three levels of velocity commonly used in the discussion of traumatic injures
- Low velocity
- Medium velocity
- High velocity
Free air in the peritoneal cavity indicates ___
A hollow organ or loop of bowel has been perforated
Largest organ in the abdomen
The liver
Common finding during assessment of patients with an injured liver
Referred pain to the right shoulder
The liver is often injured by ___
A fractured lower right rib or a penetrating injury
___ occurs in some cases of splenic injury
Referred left shoulder pain
Patients with a ruptured diaphragm who are placed supine will ___
Have more organs spill into the thoracic cavity causing shortness of breath and anxiety
Common finding with a kidney injury
Hematuria
When a patient complains of tearing pain that travels from the abdomen to the back, they could be experiencing ___
A dissecting abdominal aneurysm
Pain that radiates from the lateral hip to the midline of the groin might be a sign of ___
Damage to the kidneys or ureter
Pain located predominately in the RLQ might be indicative of ___
An inflamed or ruptured appendix
When the gallbladder is injured or inflamed, the patient may report having ___
Pain just under the margin of the ribs on the right side or pain between the shoulder blades
As blood and fluid from damaged organs flow into the peritoneal cavity, the common response is ___
Acute pain that gradually spreads across the entire abdomen
Pain provoked by removal of pressure
Rebound tenderness
Occurs when the patient tenses up or stiffens their abdominal muscles in a conscious effort to splint the area
Voluntary guarding
___ persists even when the patient is distracted
Involuntary guarding
Involuntary guarding is the result of ___
Muscle spasms from peritonitis
Which quadrant to start palpating for pain and why
An area with no reported pain. To investigate for radiation and extension of the pain without causing the patient to voluntarily guard the rest of the abdomen
Palpation should begin with ___
A light touch
The objective of palpating the abdomen
To pinpoint pain’s location
Bruises in the RUQ, LUQ, or flank might suggest ___
An injury to the liver, spleen, or kidney respectively
Bruises around the umbilicus may signify ___
Severe internal bleeding in the abdomen
Allow a patient with evisceration to ___ to reduce tension in the abdominal cavity
Flex their knees
Severe lacerations of the abdominal wall may produce ___
An evisceration
If an evisceration is discovered, ___
Place a sterile dressing moistened with normal saline over the wound, apply a bandage, and transport
The eviscerated area should be kept ___
Warm and moist
Suspect kidney damage if the patient has a history or physical evidence of ___
- An abrasion, laceration, or contusion in the flank
- A penetrating wound in the flank or upper abdomen
- Fractures on either side of the lower thoracic or upper lumbar vertebrae
- A hematoma in the flank region
Supine hypotensive syndrome
The uterus obstructs the vena cava if the pregnant patient is supine
A pregnant person should be placed on their ___
Left side
If a pregnant person is placed on a backboard, ___
Tilt the board to the left
General rules when treating an injury to male genitalia
- Make the patient comfortable
- Cover abrasions with a sterile, moist compress
- To control bleeding, apply direct pressure with dry, sterile gauze dressings
- Never remove or manipulate objects impaled or embedded in the urethra
- Retrieved avulsed skin and transport with the patient (only if it doesn’t interfere with transport or emergency care)
Transporting avulsed penis
Wrap in soft, sterile dressing moistened with sterile saline solution; place in a bag with the patient’s name, and transport with patient
