Abdominal Pain

Question 1

What system most commonly needs the attention of the clinician in the setting of abdominal pain?

Answer 1

Circulatory

Question 2

Treatment of Abdominal pain in conjunction with hemodynamic instability

Answer 2

Immediate fluid resuscitation should begin by establishing 2 large bore IVs and rapidly infusing isotonic crystalloid. Supplemental oxygen should be administered, and patients should be placed on a monitor.

Question 3

Women of childbearing age who present with abdominal pain are presumed to have *** until proven otherwise.

Answer 3

Ectopic pregnancy

Question 4

An upright chest x-ray or lateral decubitis abdominal film may reveal ***

Answer 4

free air in the case of a perforated viscus

Question 5

Narcotic medication should/should not be withheld out of concern that the abdominal exam may become unreliable and the diagnosis therefore obscured.

Answer 5

Should not

Question 6

What narcotic is a nice option if a shorter acting agent is desired or if the blood pressure is tenuous?

Answer 6

Fentanyl patch

Question 7

What should be obtained in patients whose presentation of abdominal pain involves hemodynamic instability and/or a rigid abdomen?

Answer 7

Surgical consultation