Ch. 31 Abdominal and Genitourinary Injuries

Question 1

Closed abdominal injury

Answer 1

An injury in which there is soft-tissue damage inside the body but the skin remains intact.

Question 2

Evisceration

Answer 2

The displacement of organs outside of the body.

Question 3

Flank

Answer 3

The region below the rib cage above the hip.

Question 4

Guarding

Answer 4

Involuntary muscle contractions (spasms) of the abdominal wall to minimize the pain of abdominal movement; a sign of peritonitis.

Question 5

Hematuria

Answer 5

Blood in the urine.

Question 6

Hollow organs

Answer 6

Structures through which materials pass, such as the stomach, small intestines, large intestines, ureters, and urinary bladder.

Question 7

Melena

Answer 7

Black, foul-smelling, tarry stool containing digested blood.

Question 8

Open abdominal injury

Answer 8

An injury in which there is a break in the surface of the skin or mucous membrane, exposing deeper tissue to potential contamination.

Question 9

Peritoneal cavity

Answer 9

The abdominal cavity.

Question 10

Peritoneum

Answer 10

The membrane lining the abdominal cavity (parietal peritoneum) and covering the abdominal organs (visceral peritoneum).

Question 11

Retroperitoneum

Answer 11

The potential space located posterior to the peritoneal cavity of the abdomen.

Question 12

Solid organs

Answer 12

Solid masses of tissue where much of the chemical work of the body takes place (eg, the liver, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys).