Chapter 24 Flashcards
When palpating the anterior portion of a patient’s abdomen, you note tenderness in the left upper quadrant. As a knowledgeable OEC Technician, you would recognize that which of the following organs may be involved?
a. The kidney
b. The gallbladder
c. The spleen
d. The liver
a. The kidney
b. The gallbladder
c. The spleen
d. The liver
Answer: c
Objective: 24-1
Reference: 796
A patient complains of severe and sharp pain in the right lower abdominal quadrant. Based on this location, what organ or structure is most likely involved?
a. liver.
b. kidney.
c. spleen.
d. appendix.
a. liver.
b. kidney.
c. spleen.
d. appendix.
Answer: d
Objective: 24-1
Reference: 795
You have been called to aid a patient with abdominal pain. The patient states that he recently had his gall bladder removed. As an OEC Technician, you realize that the gallbladder is located in the:
a. left upper abdominal quadrant.
b. right upper abdominal quadrant.
c. lower left abdominal quadrant.
d. lower right abdominal quadrant.
a. left upper abdominal quadrant.
b. right upper abdominal quadrant.
c. lower left abdominal quadrant.
d. lower right abdominal quadrant.
Answer: b
Objective: 24-1
Reference: 795
The spleen of a patient has ruptured. Because it is a solid organ, an OEC Technician recognizes that the primary threat to life is:
a. blood loss.
b. pain.
c. infection.
d. inflammation.
a. blood loss.
b. pain.
c. infection.
d. inflammation.
Answer: a
Objective: 24-2
Reference: 798
An OEC Technician would recognize which of the following situations as acute abdominal emergency?
a. A patient who complains of stomach pain and has bad-smelling gas
b. A woman who says she drank tequila last night and now has stomach pain
c. A child whose sister has hepatitis and who has just vomited for the first time
d. A ski racer who hit a tree and has significant left flank pain.
a. A patient who complains of stomach pain and has bad-smelling gas
b. A woman who says she drank tequila last night and now has stomach pain
c. A child whose sister has hepatitis and who has just vomited for the first time
d. A ski racer who hit a tree and has significant left flank pain.
Answer: d
Objective: 24-3
Reference: 802
An OEC Technician knows that the abdomen is located between the:
a. diaphragm and the top of the pelvis.
b. mid-chest and the umbilicus.
c. nipple line and the coccyx of the spine.
d. bottom of the rib cage and the pelvis.
a. diaphragm and the top of the pelvis.
b. mid-chest and the umbilicus.
c. nipple line and the coccyx of the spine.
d. bottom of the rib cage and the pelvis.
Answer: a
Objective: 24-1
Reference: 795
The pancreas is best described as a(n):
a. absorption organ.
b. hollow organ.
c. solid organ.
d. fluid-filled organ.
a. absorption organ.
b. hollow organ.
c. solid organ.
d. fluid-filled organ.
Answer: c
Objective: 24-1
Reference: 798
An OEC Technician understands the major function of most organs in the abdomen when she makes which of the following statements?
a. “The major function of the organs in the abdominal cavity is digestion.”
b. “The basic function of the abdominal organs is the storage of fat.”
c. “The primary role of the organs in the abdominal cavity is the absorption of oxygen.”
d. “The fundamental role of the organs in the abdomen is the cleansing and filtering of blood.”
a. “The major function of the organs in the abdominal cavity is digestion.”
b. “The basic function of the abdominal organs is the storage of fat.”
c. “The primary role of the organs in the abdominal cavity is the absorption of oxygen.”
d. “The fundamental role of the organs in the abdomen is the cleansing and filtering of blood.”
Answer: d
Objective: 24-2
Reference: 795
Upon entering the room of a 62-year-old woman who has an unknown medical complaint, which of the following clues observed during the scene size-up would increase an OEC Technician’s suspicion that the patient is suffering from an acute abdominal condition?
a. She is sweating even though the air conditioning is on “high.”
b. A portable commode is next to the bed.
c. She is lying on her side with her knees drawn up to her chest.
d. She is wearing a nasal cannula attached to oxygen at 2 LPM.
a. She is sweating even though the air conditioning is on “high.”
b. A portable commode is next to the bed.
c. She is lying on her side with her knees drawn up to her chest.
d. She is wearing a nasal cannula attached to oxygen at 2 LPM.
Answer: c
Objective: 24-4
Reference: 793
Which of the following statements indicates that an OEC Technician correctly understands the goal of assessing a patient who has abdominal pain?
a. “It is important to determine if the liver is the cause of pain, because that is the most life-threatening condition.”
b. “If the patient has tenderness upon palpation of the abdomen, OEC Technicians should assume that bleeding is the cause.”
c. “It is more important to recognize a possible abdominal emergency than it is to identify the exact cause.”
d. “To best treat the patient, OEC Technicians must identify the exact cause of the patient’s pain.”
a. “It is important to determine if the liver is the cause of pain, because that is the most life-threatening condition.”
b. “If the patient has tenderness upon palpation of the abdomen, OEC Technicians should assume that bleeding is the cause.”
c. “It is more important to recognize a possible abdominal emergency than it is to identify the exact cause.”
d. “To best treat the patient, OEC Technicians must identify the exact cause of the patient’s pain.”
Answer: c
Objective: 24-4
Reference: 793
A crying 42-year-old woman states that she has sharp abdominal pain that she localizes to her right lower quadrant. When assessing this patient’s abdomen, an OEC Technician would:
a. start the exam by palpating the abdomen in the left upper quadrant.
b. avoid palpating the entire abdomen.
c. start the abdominal exam by palpating the right lower quadrant.
d. avoid palpating the right lower quadrant.
a. start the exam by palpating the abdomen in the left upper quadrant.
b. avoid palpating the entire abdomen.
c. start the abdominal exam by palpating the right lower quadrant.
d. avoid palpating the right lower quadrant.
Answer: a
Objective: 24-4
Reference: 802
With which of the following assessment findings for a patient complaining of abdominal and back pain would an OEC Technician be most concerned?
a. A surgical scar in the right upper abdominal quadrant
b. A pulsating mass above the umbilicus
c. A history of gallbladder disease
d. Increased bowel sounds associated with diarrhea
a. A surgical scar in the right upper abdominal quadrant
b. A pulsating mass above the umbilicus
c. A history of gallbladder disease
d. Increased bowel sounds associated with diarrhea
Answer: b
Objective: 24-4
Reference: 801
You suspect that a patient with right lower quadrant pain may have appendicitis. The patient states that he has no health insurance and wants to refuse care and transport. He asks you what can happen if he does have appendicitis and he does not go to the hospital. Which of the following statements would you make in reply?
a. “Your appendix could rupture, causing a major infection and shock.”
b. “The inflammation of the appendix will gradually subside, but in the meantime the pain will be terrible.”
c. “If you do not get care, blood may clot in the intestine, causing an obstruction.”
d. “The pain will most likely subside in a few hours. You may want to try an anti-inflammatory like Motrin.”
a. “Your appendix could rupture, causing a major infection and shock.”
b. “The inflammation of the appendix will gradually subside, but in the meantime the pain will be terrible.”
c. “If you do not get care, blood may clot in the intestine, causing an obstruction.”
d. “The pain will most likely subside in a few hours. You may want to try an anti-inflammatory like Motrin.”
Answer: a
Objective: 24-5
Reference: 805
A patient informs you that he was recently diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). He states that the surgeon did not want to operate on it immediately because he felt the situation was stable and that surgery was not worth the risks it posed. Tonight the patient states that he suddenly developed abdominal pain. Given this history, which of the following findings would cause an OEC Technician to suspect that AAA is the cause of the abdominal pain?
a. A complaint of “tearing” pain in the patient’s back
b. A temperature of 101°F
c. Pain that subsides when the patient lies still
d. The patient’s inability to urinate
a. A complaint of “tearing” pain in the patient’s back
b. A temperature of 101°F
c. Pain that subsides when the patient lies still
d. The patient’s inability to urinate
Answer: a
Objective: 24-4
Reference: 805
The structures within the abdomen are:
a. protected by ribs.
b. protected by the pelvis.
c. protected by strong abdominal muscles.
d. poorly protected.
a. protected by ribs.
b. protected by the pelvis.
c. protected by strong abdominal muscles.
d. poorly protected.
Answer: d
Objective: 24-2
Reference: 794
