Chapter 19 - [additional] GI and Urologic Emergencies

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a solid organ?
A. Liver
B. Kidney
C. Spleen
D. Gallbladder

Answer 1

D. Gallbladder

Question 2

A 34-year-old woman with a recent history of pelvic inflammatory disease presents with acute severe abdominal pain. Her abdomen is distended and diffusely tender to palpation. Based on your findings thus far, you should suspect:
A. peritonitis.
B. pancreatitis.
C. appendicitis.
D. cholecystitis.

Answer 2

A. peritonitis.

Question 3

MOST patients with an acute abdomen present with:
A. dyspnea.
B. diarrhea.
C. hypotension.
D. tachycardia.

Answer 3

D. tachycardia

Question 4

Which of the following signs or symptoms would you be LEAST likely to find in a patient with an acute abdomen?
A. Rapid, shallow breathing
B. Soft, nondistended abdomen
C. Tachycardia and restlessness
D. Constipation or diarrhea

Answer 4

B. Soft, nondistended abdomen

Question 5

A condition in which a person experiences a loss of appetite is called:
A. ileus.
B. colic.
C. emesis.
D. anorexia

Answer 5

D. anorexia

Question 6

The medical term for inflammation of the urinary bladder is:
A. cystitis.
B. nephritis.
C. cholecystitis.
D. diverticulitis.

Answer 6

A. cystitis.

Question 7

If a hernia is incarcerated and the contents are so greatly compressed that circulation is compromised, the hernia is said to be:
A. reducible.
B. ruptured.
C. strangulated.
D. congenital.

Answer 7

C. strangulated.

Question 8

A 70-year-old man presents with an acute onset of severe, tearing abdominal pain that radiates to his back. His BP is 88/66 mm Hg, pulse rate is 120 beats/ min, and respirations are 26 breaths/min. Treatment for this patient should include:
A. rapid transport to the hospital.
B. firm palpation of the abdomen.
C. placing him in a sitting position.
D. oxygen at 4 L/min via nasal cannula.

Answer 8

A. rapid transport to the hospital.

Question 9

The MOST common and significant complication associated with an acute abdomen is:
Select one:
A.
peritonitis.
B.
high fever.
C.
internal bleeding.
D.
severe pain

Answer 9

A.
peritonitis.

Question 10

You are transporting a 49-year-old male with “tearing” abdominal pain. You are approximately 30 miles away from the closest hospital. During your reassessment, you determine that the patient’s condition has deteriorated significantly. You should:
Select one:
A.
continue transporting and alert the receiving hospital.
B.
assist his ventilations with a bag-valve mask.
C.
immediately perform a rapid physical examination.
D.
consider requesting a rendezvous with an ALS unit.

Answer 10

D.
consider requesting a rendezvous with an ALS unit.

Question 11

Which of the following conditions is more common in women than in men?
Select one:
A.
Pancreatitis
B.
Hepatitis
C.
Cystitis
D.
Cholecystitis

Answer 11

C.
Cystitis

Question 12

Pain that radiates to the right lower quadrant from the umbilical area, nausea and vomiting, and lack of appetite are MOST indicative of:
Select one:
A.
appendicitis.
B.
cholecystitis.
C.
gastroenteritis.
D.
pancreatitis.

Answer 12

A.
appendicitis.

Question 13

The kidneys help to regulate blood pressure by:
Select one:
A.
accommodating a large amount of blood volume.
B.
retaining key electrolytes, such as potassium.
C.
eliminating toxic waste products from the body.
D.
removing sodium and water from the body.

Answer 13

D.
removing sodium and water from the body.

Question 14

The parietal peritoneum lines the:
Select one:
A.
lungs and chest cavity.
B.
walls of the abdominal cavity.
C.
retroperitoneal space.
D.
surface of the abdominal organs.

Answer 14

B.
walls of the abdominal cavity.

Question 15

In the presence of ileus, the only way the stomach can empty itself is by:
Select one:
A.
diarrhea.
B.
spontaneous rupture.
C.
vomiting.
D.
muscular contraction

Answer 15

C.
vomiting.

Question 16

Your patient’s past medical history includes hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and seizures. Today, he presents with signs of acute renal failure. Which of his medical problems MOST likely caused this?
Select one:
A.
Diabetes
B.
Hypertension
C.
Seizures
D.
Heart failure

Answer 16

D.
Heart failure

Question 17

The principal symptom in both infectious and noninfectious gastroenteritis is:
Select one:
A.
dysuria.
B.
diarrhea.
C.
vomiting.
D.
high fever.

Answer 17

B.
diarrhea.

Question 18

In contrast to the parietal peritoneum, the visceral peritoneum:
Select one:
A.
is supplied by the same nerves from the spinal cord that supply the skin of the abdomen.
B.
lines the walls of the abdominal cavity and is stimulated when the solid abdominal organs contract.
C.
is supplied by nerves of the autonomic nervous system, which are less able to localize pain or sensation.
D.
is less likely to become inflamed or infected because it lines the abdominal organs themselves.

Answer 18

C.
is supplied by nerves of the autonomic nervous system, which are less able to localize pain or sensation.