Abdominal & Genitourinary Injuries Flashcards
Define
Closed abdominal injury
An injury in which there is soft-tissue damage inside the body but the skin remains intact.
Define
Evisceration
The displacement of organs outside of the body
Define
Flank
The region below the rib cage and above the hip.
Define
Guarding
Involuntary muscle contractions of the abdominal wall to minimize the pain of abdominal movement; a sign of peritonitis
Define
Open abdominal injury
An injury in which there is a break in the surface of the skin or mucous membrane, exposing deeper tissue
to potential contamination.
Define
Peritoneum
The membrane lining the abdominal cavity (parietal peritoneum) and covering the abdominal organs (visceral peritoneum).
Describe blunt force trauma to the abdomen.
Injury caused by a forceful impact to the body without breaking the skin (e.g., baseball bat impact, steering wheel collision).
Describe penetrating trauma to the abdomen.
Injury that breaks the skin and enters the body (e.g., gunshot wound, stab wound).
What type of abdominal trauma is often the result of a gunshot or stab wound?
Penetrating trauma.
Injuries to solid abdominal organs often cause what?
Significant internal bleeding that can be life-threatening.
Injuries to hollow abdominal organs can cause what two main issues?
Irritation and inflammation to the peritoneum (peritonitis) from leaking contents (like digestive juices), which can lead to a serious infection.
How quickly can a serious infection from a perforated hollow organ develop?
Over several hours.
What is a key indicator to always maintain a high index of suspicion for serious intra-abdominal injury in trauma patients?
The patient exhibits signs of shock.
What should you assess the abdomen for in a patient with suspected abdominal injury?
Signs of bruising, rigidity, penetrating injuries, and reports of pain.
If there is an impaled object in the abdomen, what should you do?
Stabilize it in place with a large bulky dressing and provide rapid transport. Never remove it.
How should a patient with suspected abdominal trauma and no suspected spinal injury ideally be positioned for transport?
Supine, with knees flexed (if tolerated and no contraindications).
If abdominal organs are protruding (evisceration), how should you cover them?
Cover with a large, sterile, moist, bulky dressing and an occlusive dressing, as specified by local protocol
Why are kidney injuries potentially difficult to detect?
They are located in the well-protected region of the body (flank).
Is injury or hematoma to the flank region or external genitalia typically life-threatening?
Injury or hematoma to the flank region may indicate kidney damage and requires evaluation. Injury to the external genitalia is very painful but usually not life-threatening in isolation
What is crucial to do for all female patients of childbearing age who are victims of sexual assault?
Follow scene safety and protocol, and ensure they are examined by a physician and their clothing/evidence is preserved according to protocol. Avoid allowing them to wash, douche, etc. before examination
