Abdominal Trauma ESA Flashcards
What are the types of abdominal trauma?
Evisceration, blunt trauma, penetrating trauma
Abdominal trauma can be classified into various categories based on the mechanism of injury.
What is the second leading cause of death in trauma patients?
Unrecognized abdominal injury
Abdominal injuries can be difficult to identify and may lead to severe outcomes.
What should you suspect in a trauma patient with unexplained shock?
Abdominal injury
Internal bleeding may be present when shock is unexplained.
What can palpation of the abdomen reveal?
Abdominal wall defects, pain, tenderness, rigidity, guarding
These findings can suggest intra-abdominal bleeding.
What are the signs of blunt abdominal trauma?
Pain, distention, rigidity, guarding, bruising, N/V, blood in vomit, stool, urine, tachycardia, hypotension
Additional signs may include decreased LOC, coma, or death.
What is the treatment for blunt abdominal trauma?
Keep patient warm, oxygen, airway management, C-spine precautions, immobilize fractures, IV, ECG
Treatment should be tailored to the patient’s condition.
What are common types of penetrating trauma?
Stab wounds, gunshot wounds, impaled objects
Penetrating trauma is usually more visible than blunt trauma.
What are the signs of penetrating abdominal trauma?
Pain, evidence of injury, blood pooling, evisceration, tachycardia, hypotension
Other signs may include pale, cool, clammy skin.
What types of abdominal injuries exist?
Solid organ injury, hollow organ injury, retroperitoneal organ injury, pelvic organ injury, vascular injury
Each type has specific characteristics and implications.
What is a common consequence of solid organ injury?
Rapid and significant blood loss
The liver and spleen are primary sources of exsanguination.
What can result from hollow organ injury?
Sepsis, wound infection, abscess formation, peritonitis
Injury to hollow organs results in symptoms from spillage of their contents.
What are the consequences of retroperitoneal organ injury?
Massive hemorrhage, contusion fractures, lacerations
This can occur from blunt or penetrating trauma.
What causes pelvic organ injury?
Motor vehicle crashes, penetrating trauma, straddle-type injuries, pedestrian accidents, certain sexual acts
Pelvic organ injuries often result from significant trauma.
What are the major vessels frequently injured in vascular structure injuries?
Aorta, inferior vena cava, renal, mesenteric, iliac arteries and veins
Vascular injuries carry a high mortality rate if not surgically repaired.
What is evisceration?
Abdominal contents protruding through a laceration or puncture of the abdominal wall
This usually occurs after penetrating injuries.
What are signs and symptoms of evisceration?
Pain, blood pooling, tachycardia, dyspnea, protruding abdominal organs
Other symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, and decreased LOC.
What is the most common cause of trauma during pregnancy?
Motor vehicle crashes
Sudden pressure changes can lead to severe complications for both mother and fetus.
What are signs of trauma in a pregnant patient?
Pain, obvious signs of trauma, tachycardia, hypotension, vaginal bleeding
These signs indicate potential complications such as placental abruption.
What is the recommended positioning for a pregnant trauma patient?
Tilt the backboard approximately 10 to 15 degrees to the left
This helps relieve pressure off the inferior vena cava.
What are common injuries to male genitalia?
Amputation
Most genital trauma is usually obvious.
What types of injuries may affect female genitalia?
Rape, foreign body penetration
These injuries may require sensitive handling and care.
Visceral pain?
pain felt in other parts of the body. (intersecting nerves pathways from organ to other region)
Parietal pain?
Intense, localized (caused by inflammation of peritoneum)
Colic pain
Pain that “comes and goes in waves”
