You are assessing an assault victim and note a contusion over the abdomen. Which of the following should you remember while caring for this patient?
A) Unless the contusion is over a critical area, such as the spleen or liver, the likelihood of serious injury is minimal.
B) A contusion to the abdomen should always increase your index of suspicion for underlying injury.
C) If there is no rigidity or distension of the abdomen, serious injury is unlikely.
D) The significance of the trauma is related to the amount of pain the patient experiences on palpation.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A contusion to the abdomen should always increase your index of suspicion for underlying injury. While a contusion over a critical area, such as the spleen or liver, could be serious, even a contusion to a non-critical area could be an indication of underlying injury. Therefore, it is important to investigate further and maintain a high index of suspicion for potential injuries. The absence of rigidity or distension does not definitively rule out serious injury, and the significance of the trauma cannot always be determined by the amount of pain the patient experiences on palpation.

You Are Assessing an Assault Victim and Note a Contusion