Chapter 35: Abdominal and Genitourinary Trauma

Question 1

abdominal trauma

Answer 1

generally considered a critical injury due to the potential for severe bleeding and hemorrhagic shock

Question 2

abdominal cavity

Answer 2

contains the major organs of the digestive, urinary, and endocrine systems, separated from chest cavity superiorly by the diaphragm and the lower boundary is the pelvic ring

Question 3

peritoineum

Answer 3

two layer, sheath-like membrane that lines the abdominal cavity

Question 4

visceral peritoneum

Answer 4

innermost lining of abdominal cavity, adheres to and supports organs

Question 5

parietal peritoneum

Answer 5

outer lining of abdominal cavity that adheres to walls of abdominal cavity

Question 6

peritoneal space

Answer 6

potential space between visceral and parietal peritonea

Question 7

retroperitoneal

Answer 7

organs that lie partially or completely behind the peritoneum, in the retroperitoneal cavity. duodenum, pancreas, inferior vena cava, aorta, kidneys, ureters

Question 8

hollow organs

Answer 8

stomach, gallbladder, urinary bladder, ureters, internal urethra, fallopian tubes, small and large intestine. not as vascular, if ruptured they do not bleed much but they do spill their contents into the abdominal cavity

Question 9

solid organs

Answer 9

spleen, liver, pancreas, kidneys. contain rich blood supply, causes major bleeding and severe shock if injured

Question 10

kehr sign

Answer 10

referred pain in the shoulder due to severe bleeding in abdomen that irritates the diaphragm

Question 11

vascular structures

Answer 11

lie partially within the abdominal cavity, aorta and branches, inferior vena cava, carry large amounts of blood, will bleed massively if injured

Question 12

diaphragm

Answer 12

a muscle that separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities

Question 13

abdominal evisceration

Answer 13

when an open wound through the abdominal wall allows abdominal contents to protrude and be exposed, most commonly associated with penetrating injury

Question 14

emergency medical care for abdominal trauma

Answer 14

1. establish and maintain open airway and spine motion restrictions if necessary
2. administer oxygen
3. reassess breathing status
4. treat for hemorrhagic shock
5. control any external bleeding
6. position the patient (supine with legs flexed at knees)
7. stabilize an impaled object
8. transport as quickly as possible

Question 15

emergency medical care for abdominal evisceration

Answer 15

1. expose wound
2. position patient on back with legs flexed at knees
3. prepare a clean sterile dressing by soaking it with saline or sterile water
4. cover moist dressing with an occlusive dressing to retain moisture and warmth
5. administer high concentration of oxygen and prepare to treat for shock