Chapter 26 Abdominal Emergencies
Exam-Graded A
In what position should the patient complaining of severe abdominal pain be placed if
there are no signs or symptoms of shock? - ANS-One of comfort
Most organs of the abdomen are enclosed within the: - ANS-peritoneum
Organs of the right upper quadrant include: - ANS-most of the liver, gallbladder, and
part of the large intestine.
Pain felt in the epigastric region of the abdomen is of concern because of the possibility
of which of the following? - ANS-Myocardial infarction
Pain that originates in an organ, such as the intestines, is called ________ pain. - ANS-
visceral
Pain that the patient feels in a body part or area of the body that has nothing to do with
a diseased organ is termed: - ANS-referred pain
The detection of a bulging mass through the belly button that is not pulsating should
make the EMT suspicious that the patient may be suffering from which of the following?
- ANS-Hernia
The patient complaining of parietal abdominal pain who would concern you the most is
the one who: - ANS-is lying on the floor very still and quiet with his knees drawn up to
his chest.
When the gallbladder is diseased, the pain is not only felt in the right upper quadrant
(RUQ) but also in the right shoulder. This is known as: - ANS-referred pain
When treating a patient with acute abdominal pain, you should do which of the
following? - ANS-Have the patient lie still and assume a position of comfort.
Which abdominal quadrant contains the appendix? - ANS-right lower
Which of the following is a characteristic of referred pain? - ANS-It is felt in a location
other than the organ causing it.
Which of the following is a concern when caring for the patient with abdominal pain? -
ANS-All of the above
, Which of the following is not a cause of abdominal pain? - ANS-stroke
Which of the following is not a cause of parietal pain? - ANS-Muscle spasm
Which of the following is not true concerning abdominal pain in geriatric patients? -
ANS-The causes of abdominal pain in geriatric patients are rarely serious.
Which of the following is the main focus of the EMT's assessment and history taking of
the patient with abdominal pain? - ANS-Determining the presence of shock
Which of the following is true concerning parietal pain? - ANS-It is generally localized to
a particular area.
Which of the following organs is located in the retroperitoneal space? - ANS-kidneys
Which of the following questions is inappropriate when taking the history of a female
patient with abdominal pain? - ANS-What is your sexual orientation?
Which of the following questions may help the EMT assess a patient with abdominal
pain? - ANS-All of the above
Which of the following structures is (are) not located in the abdominal cavity? - ANS-
kidneys
Which patient is experiencing visceral pain? - ANS-45-year-old female complaining of
abdominal pain "all over"
With the exception of the ________, most abdominal organs are not able to sense
tearing sensations. - ANS-aorta
You are called to a 25-year-old male complaining of right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain.
His other symptoms are nausea and vomiting, fever, and decreasing pain in the
umbilicus area. As an EMT, you feel this patient might have: - ANS-appendicitis.
You respond to a 75-year-old female who is complaining of epigastric pain that feels like
heartburn. The pain radiates to the right shoulder. Her vital signs are stable and she has
a previous history of a myocardial infarction. She has prescription nitroglycerin tablets.
She is most likely suffering from: - ANS-cholecystitis.
You respond to an abdominal pain call. Your partner suspects that the patient is having
an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). What type of pain is the patient most likely
experiencing? - ANS-Tearing
Exam-Graded A
In what position should the patient complaining of severe abdominal pain be placed if
there are no signs or symptoms of shock? - ANS-One of comfort
Most organs of the abdomen are enclosed within the: - ANS-peritoneum
Organs of the right upper quadrant include: - ANS-most of the liver, gallbladder, and
part of the large intestine.
Pain felt in the epigastric region of the abdomen is of concern because of the possibility
of which of the following? - ANS-Myocardial infarction
Pain that originates in an organ, such as the intestines, is called ________ pain. - ANS-
visceral
Pain that the patient feels in a body part or area of the body that has nothing to do with
a diseased organ is termed: - ANS-referred pain
The detection of a bulging mass through the belly button that is not pulsating should
make the EMT suspicious that the patient may be suffering from which of the following?
- ANS-Hernia
The patient complaining of parietal abdominal pain who would concern you the most is
the one who: - ANS-is lying on the floor very still and quiet with his knees drawn up to
his chest.
When the gallbladder is diseased, the pain is not only felt in the right upper quadrant
(RUQ) but also in the right shoulder. This is known as: - ANS-referred pain
When treating a patient with acute abdominal pain, you should do which of the
following? - ANS-Have the patient lie still and assume a position of comfort.
Which abdominal quadrant contains the appendix? - ANS-right lower
Which of the following is a characteristic of referred pain? - ANS-It is felt in a location
other than the organ causing it.
Which of the following is a concern when caring for the patient with abdominal pain? -
ANS-All of the above
, Which of the following is not a cause of abdominal pain? - ANS-stroke
Which of the following is not a cause of parietal pain? - ANS-Muscle spasm
Which of the following is not true concerning abdominal pain in geriatric patients? -
ANS-The causes of abdominal pain in geriatric patients are rarely serious.
Which of the following is the main focus of the EMT's assessment and history taking of
the patient with abdominal pain? - ANS-Determining the presence of shock
Which of the following is true concerning parietal pain? - ANS-It is generally localized to
a particular area.
Which of the following organs is located in the retroperitoneal space? - ANS-kidneys
Which of the following questions is inappropriate when taking the history of a female
patient with abdominal pain? - ANS-What is your sexual orientation?
Which of the following questions may help the EMT assess a patient with abdominal
pain? - ANS-All of the above
Which of the following structures is (are) not located in the abdominal cavity? - ANS-
kidneys
Which patient is experiencing visceral pain? - ANS-45-year-old female complaining of
abdominal pain "all over"
With the exception of the ________, most abdominal organs are not able to sense
tearing sensations. - ANS-aorta
You are called to a 25-year-old male complaining of right lower quadrant (RLQ) pain.
His other symptoms are nausea and vomiting, fever, and decreasing pain in the
umbilicus area. As an EMT, you feel this patient might have: - ANS-appendicitis.
You respond to a 75-year-old female who is complaining of epigastric pain that feels like
heartburn. The pain radiates to the right shoulder. Her vital signs are stable and she has
a previous history of a myocardial infarction. She has prescription nitroglycerin tablets.
She is most likely suffering from: - ANS-cholecystitis.
You respond to an abdominal pain call. Your partner suspects that the patient is having
an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). What type of pain is the patient most likely
experiencing? - ANS-Tearing
