Digestive/Abdominal Injury Deck

Question 1

Which major cavities are located superior and inferior to the abdominal cavity?

Answer 1

The thoracic cavity is located superior to the abdominal cavity, and the pelvic cavity is located inferior to it.

Question 2

What is the peritoneum, and what are its functions?

Answer 2

The peritoneum is a smooth, glistening membrane lining the abdominal cavity. It has two layers: one lining the cavity wall and one covering the organs. Its function is to allow the organs to move by sliding against each other.

Question 2

Name the solid organs of the abdominal cavity.

Answer 2

The solid organs are the liver, spleen, and pancreas.

Question 3

Name the hollow organs of the abdominal cavity.

Answer 3

The hollow organs are the stomach, intestines, gallbladder, ureters, and urinary bladder.

Question 4

What are the two main functions of the digestive system?

Answer 4

The two main functions are digestion and absorption.

Question 5

What is the role of the small intestine in the digestive process?

Answer 5

The small intestine is responsible for the absorption of nutrients.

Question 5

What role does the liver play in digestion?

Answer 5

The liver produces bile, which helps digest fats. It also processes the basic food products transported by the blood.

Question 6

What are the main functions of the large intestine?

Answer 6

The large intestine absorbs water and excretes waste products.

Question 7

What is the function of the gallbladder?

Answer 7

The gallbladder concentrates and stores bile, which is used in the digestion of fats.

Question 8

What is the function of the ureters?

Answer 8

The ureters pass urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

Question 9

What is the function of the urinary bladder?

Answer 9

The urinary bladder stores urine until it is voided.

Question 10

What is the function of the urethra?

Answer 10

The urethra is a tube that leads from the urinary bladder to the exterior of the body, allowing urine to pass out.

Question 11

What are the primary functions of the liver?

Answer 11

The liver produces bile, breaks down and eliminates drugs and poisons, stores proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, and glucose, and produces many body proteins and clotting factors.

Question 12

What are the main functions of the pancreas?

Answer 12

The pancreas produces insulin, which regulates sugar use in tissues, and pancreatic juice, which aids in digestion.

Question 13

What are the main functions of the spleen?

Answer 13

The spleen destroys old red blood cells, manufactures some white cells, and removes potentially infectious matter from the blood.

Question 14

What are the main functions of the kidneys?

Answer 14

The kidneys extract wastes from the blood and excrete them as urine, maintain water balance, and regulate acid-base balance.

Question 15

What should be suspected if a patient shows signs of shock in association with abdominal trauma?

Answer 15

Internal bleeding should be suspected.

Question 16

What factors can help in diagnosing abdominal injuries?

Answer 16

Factors include the mechanism of injury, the anatomy of the injury, the presence of abdominal pain, visible soft tissue injury, rigidity or guarding of abdominal muscles, nausea and vomiting, shock, and abdominal distension.

Question 17

What is advanced peritonitis and what are the symptoms?

Answer 17

Rupture or laceration of abdominal organs may
cause severe bleeding. Patients with injuries to major
blood vessels in the abdomen may bleed to death very
quickly. Shock may be evident before peritoneal
irritation becomes apparent. Hollow organs may be
ruptured or lacerated and spill their contents into the
peritoneal cavity. This will cause peritonitis, an
inflammation of the peritoneum.

Symptoms include severe abdominal pain aggravated by movement, protective muscle tightening (guarding), fever, marked abdominal distension, dehydration, infection (sepsis), and potentially septic shock.

Question 18

What causes blunt abdominal injuries?

Answer 18

Blunt abdominal injuries are caused by the direct transfer of energy to an organ, compression against the spinal column, or rapid deceleration.

Question 19

What are the dangers associated with blunt abdominal trauma?

Answer 19

The most significant immediate danger is serious hemorrhage, which may be followed by hypovolemic shock.

Question 20

How should an impaled object in the abdomen be managed?

Answer 20

The object must not be removed to prevent the patient from bleeding to death.

Question 21

What typically results from penetrating abdominal injuries?

Answer 21

Penetrating abdominal injuries can cause bleeding from damage to solid organs or major blood vessels, and perforation of the intestines, leading to severe bleeding, abdominal distension, rigidity, shock, and possibly delayed onset of abdominal pain.

Question 22

What should be noted about abdominal pain in a patient with a potential abdominal injury?

Answer 22

Note the location, intensity, time of onset, duration, and whether the pain radiates.

Question 23

What external signs may indicate internal abdominal injury?

Answer 23

Signs include redness, bruising, abrasions, or an external wound.

Question 24

What should be done if a patient with abdominal injury is vomiting?

Answer 24

Clear the patient’s airway according to airway management protocols and note the contents of the vomit, particularly if it contains blood.

Question 25

What can abdominal distension indicate in a patient with decreased consciousness?

Answer 25

Abdominal distension may indicate internal bleeding or bowel perforation.

Question 26

What are the general principles of management for abdominal injuries?

Answer 26

The evaluation and management of a patient with abdominal injuries follow these steps:

1. Conduct a scene assessment.
2. Position the patient supine, with C-spine control when needed. If no cervical injury, position for comfort (often knees flexed).
3. Ensure an open airway.
4. Ensure adequate respiration.
5. Assess radial pulse and skin for shock; if shock is present, keep the patient horizontal.
6. Control life-threatening bleeding.
7. Transport patients with penetrating injuries or signs of shock rapidly to the nearest hospital.
8. Reassess ABCs every 5 minutes for RTC patients or every 10 minutes for non-RTC patients.
9. Conduct a secondary survey.
10. Monitor vital signs every 10 minutes for RTC patients or every 30 minutes for non-RTC patients.

Question 26

How should you position a patient with abdominal injuries?

Answer 26

Position the patient supine with C-spine control if spinal trauma is suspected. If no cervical injury concern, position the patient for comfort, often with knees flexed and supported with padding.

Question 27

What are the steps for ensuring an open airway in a patient with abdominal injuries?

Answer 27

Ensure the patient’s airway is open by checking for obstructions and using techniques such as the head-tilt, chin-lift, or jaw-thrust manoeuver if necessary.

Question 28

How do you assess for signs of shock in a patient with abdominal injuries?

Answer 28

Check the radial pulse and observe the skin for signs such as pallor, clamminess, or coldness. If shock is present, maintain the patient in a horizontal position.

Question 29

What are the key steps in managing a protruding bowel?

Answer 29

1. Cover the protruding bowel with several sterile gauze pads moistened with saline or water.
2. Support the bowel with bulky dressings placed over the moistened gauze.
3. Secure the area to keep the bowel clean, warm, and moist.
4. Do not delay rapid transport to complete dressings that can be done en route.

Question 29

What should be done for patients with penetrating abdominal injuries or signs of shock?

Answer 29

These patients are in the Rapid Transport Category and must be transported rapidly to the nearest hospital after initial management of life-threatening injuries.

Question 30

What are the signs and symptoms of peritoneal irritation, indicating an acute abdomen?

Answer 30

Severe pain on movement or palpation, nausea, vomiting, fever, abdominal wall rigidity, ileus of the bowel causing distension, and further pain.

Question 31

What should be done for foreign bodies embedded in the abdominal wall?

Answer 31

Do not remove the foreign body. Use bulky dressings or supportive bandages to maintain the position of the foreign body and protect the patient from further injury.

Question 32

What should be observed and assessed during the examination of a patient with an acute abdomen?

Answer 32

• Observe the patient’s position.
• Assess vital signs.
• Obtain a history of the illness or injury.
• During the head-to-toe examination, check for bruising, signs of trauma, abdominal distension, and gently palpate for rigidity.
• Reassess and record vital signs regularly.

Question 32

How should patients with suspected acute abdominal conditions be managed?

Answer 32

Place patients in the Rapid Transport Category, position them for comfort (usually semi-recumbent), and transport them to the hospital immediately. Handle with care to avoid damaging swollen or distended abdominal organs.