Abdominal Trauma Flashcards
What are the three major forces that can cause abdominal trauma?
- Shearing forces
- Crushing (spine and abd wall)
- Compression
True or false: all patients with abdominal trauma need a c-collar
False-hinderance
What IV needs to be in place in a patient with abdominal trauma?
Two 18 gauge or larger
What areas should always be checked with abdominal trauma? (3)
Inguinal creases
Perineum
Anus/gluteal folds
What are the two most common injuries with blunt abdominal trauma, in order?
- Splenic rupture
2. Liver lac
What are the most commonly affected organs with GSW? SW?
- GSW = colon/small intestine
- SW = Liver
When is a DPL considered positive?
If there is aspiration of 10 mL of gross blood or GI contents
What is the amount of RBCs and WBCs that is positive for a DPL?
More than 100,000 RBCs / mm^3
MOre than 500 WBC/mm^3
What is permissive hypotension in regards to trauma pts?
Do not overly give crystalloids–give pRBCs to a MAP of 65
-Too much crystalloids induces coagulopathy, acidosis, hypothermia
What is the general treatment for grades I-II spleen and liver lacs?
COnservative–blood and GSC
What is the general treatment for colon/intestinal injuries?
Surgery
What is the treatment for pelvic fracture with vessel disruption?
IR consult
What is the general treatment for aortic injuries?
Judicious BP control and surgery
What is the disposition for trauma patients without identifiable abdominal injury, but complaining of s/sx? Asymptomatic?
- Symptomatic = Obs with serial exams
- Asymptomatic = d/c
True or false: abdominal trauma patients present with deceptively unimpressive exam findings
True
