Deck 19: Acute Abdominal Distress and Related Emergencies

Question 1

Abdominal distress in every victim should be considered life threatening:

A) only after the victim has eaten.
B) only after the victim gets scared.
C) only after the victim vomits.
D) until proven otherwise.

Answer 1

until proven otherwise.

Question 2

How many causes of abdominal pain are there according to medical reference guides?

A) 25
B) 50
C) 100
D) 200

Answer 2

100

Question 3

All of the following are priorities when caring for victims of acute abdominal distress except:

A) assessing injuries.
B) rendering appropriate first aid care.
C) transport.
D) identifying the cause of the abdominal distress.

Answer 3

identifying the cause of the abdominal distress.

Question 4

In assessing a victim with acute abdominal distress, the number-one priority should be to look for signs of:

A) shock.
B) bleeding.
C) respiratory distress.
D) any associated medical conditions.

Question 5

It is typical for a victim with acute abdominal distress to:

A) be violent.
B) be guarded.
C) bleed profusely.
D) suffer cardiac arrest.

Question 6

If you know that a specific quadrant is causing the pain or the majority of the pain, examine that quadrant:

A) first.
B) last.
C) second.
D) not at all

Question 7

Which of the following organs would be in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen?

A) liver, spleen, pancreas
B) colon, appendix, small intestine
C) gallbladder, pancreas, liver
D) liver, colon, appendix

Question 8

If the victim of acute abdominal distress is a child and there is tenderness or guarding when you examine the abdomen:

A) suspect the need for surgery.
B) it could be only growing pains.
C) suspect gall bladder injury.
D) simply note it, but this requires no immediate care.

Question 9

All of the following are general guidelines for assessment of an abdominal injury except:

A) confirm abnormal contour with the victim.
B) determine the quadrant of the pain.
C) look to see whether the abdomen is bloated (distended).
D) ask if the patient has any blood in his or her bowel movement.

Question 10

Which of the following is not one of the signs and symptoms of acute abdominal distress?

A) nausea and/or vomiting
B) rapid shallow breathing
C) high blood pressure
D) colicky pain

Question 11

Cramp-like pain is described as a pain that occurs:

A) without warning.
B) starting at the head and moving.
C) in waves.
D) in adolescents.

Question 12

A victim of acute abdominal distress will have pain that:

A) is localized.
B) is widespread.
C) can be relieved with medication.
D) can be local or widespread.

Question 13

A victim of acute abdominal distress should determine the most comfortable position for himself unless:

A) there is internal bleeding.
B) there is pain in the upper right quadrant.
C) there are signs of shock.
D) there is pain in the lower left quadrant.

Question 14

If the victim of acute abdominal distress is nauseated, you should position him or her:

A) in an upright position.
B) on their side.
C) on their stomach.
D) on their back with head slightly elevated.

Question 15

When caring for victims of acute abdominal distress, you should:

A) give them food or water.
B) never give them water or food.
C) give them medication.
D) give them something to ease their abdominal pain .

Question 16

The best position for a victim of shock is:

A) on the back with legs slightly elevated.
B) on the back with head slightly elevated.
C) on either side.
D) prone.

Question 17

In the BRAT diet, "A" stands for:

A) applesauce.
B) apricots.
C) almonds.
D) aspirin.

Question 18

A diarrhea victim should not eat meat or drink dairy products for at least:

A) 24 hours.
B) 36 hours.
C) 48 hours.
D) 72 hours.

Question 19

The single most important care for a victim of diarrhea is to have the victim drink:

A) 8-10 glasses of clear fluid a day.
B) 6-8 glasses of clear fluid a day.
C) 4-6 glasses of clear fluid a day.
D) 2-4 glasses of clear fluid a day.

Question 20

Diarrhea should run its course. However, there are some over-the-counter medications that can help control the diarrhea. Which is not a medication that can control diarrhea?

A) Imodium A-D
B) Metamucil
C) Maalox
D) Kaopectate II

Question 21

Esophageal varices are common in all individuals listed except:

A) heavy alcohol drinkers.
B) victims of jaundice.
C) victims of liver disease.
D) victims without any pre-existing medical conditions.

Question 22

Ruptured esophageal varices are usually characterized by:

A) painful gastrointestinal bleeding.
B) painless gastrointestinal bleeding.
C) high fever and flushed appearance.
D) a dry, hacking cough.

Question 23

The victim of ruptured esophageal varices needs rapid blood replacement and surgical procedures aimed at:

A) repairing the esophagus.
B) opening the airway.
C) stopping the bleeding.
D) correcting the jaundice.

Question 24

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is most common in those with:

A) a liver disease.
B) atherosclerosis.
C) arteriosclerosis.
D) esophagus disease.

Question 25

It is estimated that ________ percent of all men over the age of fifty have abdominal aortic aneurysms.

A) 5
B) 10
C) 20
D) 50

Question 26

The pain from an abdominal aortic aneurysm that ruptures is:

A) often found to extend to the upper arms.
B) often found to extend to the lower legs.
C) gradual with onset.
D) sudden and severe.

Question 27

All of the following are signs and symptoms of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm except:

A) pale legs.
B) mottled abdominal skin.
C) pain in the abdomen.
D) increased pulse in the groin and foot.

Question 28

If the abdominal aortic aneurysm has burst, you may feel:

A) a soft abdomen.
B) a hard, rigid abdomen.
C) a non-pulsating abdominal mass.
D) crackling underneath the skin.

Question 29

Victims of ruptured esophageal varices usually have ________ pain in the stomach.

A) no
B) localized
C) extreme
D) cramping

Question 30

Abdominal distress of every victim should be considered life threatening until proven otherwise.

Question 31

The upper and lower quadrants are differentiated at the navel.

Question 32

In a victim with abdominal pain, do not waste time with an extensive examination of the abdomen as it can worsen the pain and aggravate the medical condition that causes it.

Question 33

Abdominal distress can be caused by an irritation of the membrane that lines the abdomen.

Question 34

Nausea and vomiting may also occur if a victim has had too much alcohol to drink or has motion sickness.

Question 35

Diarrhea is the passage of loose, watery, or unformed stools more than once a day.

Question 36

Vomiting and diarrhea in children can quickly lead to dehydration and shock.

Question 37

BRAT is an acronym for mild foods used to treat a post-diarrheal episode.

Question 38

A victim with acute abdominal distress will appear to be fine.

Question 39

A victim with acute abdominal distress often lies on his or her side with knees drawn up toward the abdomen.

Question 40

Only give liquids to a victim of acute abdominal distress to prevent dehydration.

Question 41

A victim of acute abdominal distress must always be transported, because many will need surgery.

Question 42

When esophageal varices rupture, bleeding can be fatal within minutes.

Question 43

A victim with ruptured esophageal varices should be positioned on his or her side with the face pointed downward.

Question 44

When an abdominal aortic aneurysm ruptures, your primary goal is to prevent bleeding.

Question 45

Your primary goal must be to determine the underlying cause for any abdominal complaint in order to treat it effectively.

Question 46

Any severe abdominal pain should be considered an emergency.

Question 47

Unless there are signs of shock, let the victim decide their own position of comfort.

Question 48

If there are signs of shock, keep the victim in a sitting position in case of vomiting.