Question 1

Which of the following conditions would the EMT recognize as an acute abdominal emergency?

Accepted Answer

The rupture of the bladder is an acute abdominal emergency due to the risk of urine leaking into the abdominal cavity and causing peritonitis, a potentially life-threatening condition. Inflammation of the lower portion of the right lung, swelling of the brain and spinal cord, and infection of the lining surrounding the heart are all serious conditions, but they are not typically considered acute abdominal emergencies.

Question 2

A female patient has developed bacterial peritonitis after sustaining blunt trauma to the abdomen. Damage to what organ was most likely responsible for this condition?

Accepted Answer

Bacterial peritonitis is an infection of the peritoneum, the lining of the abdominal cavity. Blunt trauma to the abdomen can cause perforation of an organ in the abdomen, which can lead to bacterial infection of the peritoneum. The small intestine is the most likely organ to be damaged in this scenario. The spleen, liver, or ovary are not typically involved in the development of bacterial peritonitis.

Question 3

You have been called to transfer a male patient from an outpatient clinic to the hospital. The patient has been diagnosed with peritonitis and requires transport to the hospital for definitive care. As a knowledgeable EMT, you would recognize which of the following as true?

Accepted Answer

Peritonitis is the inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity, which can be caused by infection or chemical irritation. It does not necessarily involve the kidneys, pancreas, or abdominal aorta. The patient may require antibiotics and surgery to address the underlying cause of the inflammation.

Question 4

The EMT has an accurate understanding of the solid organs contained within the abdomen when she states:

Accepted Answer

Solid organs such as the liver, spleen, and pancreas are highly vascular and can bleed excessively if injured. Hollow organs like the stomach and intestines are less vascular, but can still cause significant bleeding if injured. Choice A is partially correct, but the statement that solid organs contain less blood than hollow organs is incorrect. Choice B is specific to the gallbladder and does not apply to all solid organs. Choice C describes the function of the digestive system, but does not accurately describe the characteristics of solid organs.

Question 5

The pancreas would best be described as a(n) ________ organ.

Accepted Answer

The pancreas is a solid organ that secretes digestive enzymes and hormones, such as insulin and glucagon, into the bloodstream. It is located behind the stomach and plays a crucial role in regulating blood sugar levels and aiding in digestion.

Question 6

A patient complains of severe and sharp pain to the right lower abdominal quadrant. Based on location, what organ or structure is most likely involved?

Accepted Answer

The location of the severe and sharp pain in the right lower abdominal quadrant is most likely associated with the appendix. This is a characteristic symptom of appendicitis.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the structure and function of the stomach?

Accepted Answer

The stomach is a hollow organ that secretes digestive enzymes and fluids to break down food for further digestion and absorption in the small intestine.

Question 8

The EMT would recognize which of the following patients as suffering from an acute abdomen?

Accepted Answer

An acute abdomen is a sudden onset of severe abdominal pain that often requires emergency medical intervention. The 62-year-old male with no medical history with sudden pain to the lower abdomen is exhibiting symptoms of an acute abdomen. The other patients listed may have different medical conditions but do not meet the criteria for an acute abdomen.

Question 9

After performing a Markle test on a 31-year-old female with abdominal pain, she locates pain to her left lower quadrant. How would the EMT interpret this result?

Accepted Answer

The Markle test is used to assess for the presence of peritonitis. The location of pain in the left lower quadrant indicates a positive result, which suggests that the patient may be suffering from peritonitis. It is not a definitive diagnosis, but it does indicate the need for further evaluation and treatment.

Question 10

The EMT understands the major function of most organs in the abdomen when he states:

Accepted Answer

The digestive system organs, which include the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder, are located in the abdominal cavity and are primarily responsible for digestion and absorption of nutrients from food.

Question 11

If a patient has a retroperitoneal infection, what organ could be involved?

Accepted Answer

The retroperitoneum is the anatomical space behind the peritoneum that contains several organs including the kidneys, adrenal glands, pancreas, and parts of the intestines. A retroperitoneal infection could, therefore, involve any of these organs but the kidney is the most likely organ to be affected.

Question 12

When palpating the anterior portion of a patient's abdomen, you note tenderness to the left upper quadrant. As a knowledgeable EMT, you would recognize that which organ may be involved?

Accepted Answer

The left upper quadrant of the abdomen corresponds to the location of the spleen. Tenderness in this area could be indicative of splenic injury or inflammation. It is important for the EMT to assess for other signs and symptoms such as possible active bleeding or shock.

Question 13

A middle-aged female patient has dialed 911 for an abdominal emergency. On scene, she informs you she has a bad gallbladder and it has been increasingly bothering her, thus she needs transport to the hospital for further care. Your assessment reveals tenderness and mild discomfort to the right upper quadrant of the abdomen. She also states that her right shoulder is aching. Given the patient's complaint, the EMT would recognize the shoulder pain as:

Accepted Answer

The shoulder pain is likely referred pain from the irritated gallbladder, which can cause pain to radiate to the right shoulder.

Question 14

The spleen of a patient has ruptured. Because it is a solid organ, the EMT recognizes that the primary threat to life is:

Accepted Answer

The spleen is a highly vascularized solid organ that can cause significant bleeding if ruptured. Therefore, the primary threat to life in this situation is blood loss. Pain, infection, and inflammation may also be concerns, but they are not the primary threat to life.

Question 15

A patient informs you that he has had a section of his small intestine removed due to cancer. You recognize that with the removal of small intestine, the patient is less able to:

Accepted Answer

The small intestine is responsible for the absorption of nutrients from food, including vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. With a section of the small intestine removed, the patient may have reduced ability to absorb these nutrients, leading to malnutrition and related complications. While digestion of food occurs primarily in the stomach and small intestine, the removal of a section of the small intestine should not have a major impact on overall digestion. Insulin secretion primarily occurs in the pancreas, which is a separate organ from the small intestine. While the small intestine does play a role in breaking down fats, this is not its primary function, and other organs such as the liver and pancreas also contribute to this process.

Question 16

Which of the following statements made by the patient would most likely be associated with parietal or somatic pain?

Accepted Answer

The statement "It really hurts right here" indicates a more specific location of pain, which is typically associated with parietal or somatic pain. This type of pain is often described as sharp, localized, and well-defined, and is caused by irritation or inflammation of the parietal peritoneum or other somatic tissue. The other statements do not provide as specific of a location for the pain or describe the quality of the pain in a way that is typical of parietal or somatic pain.

Question 17

The EMT has an accurate understanding of acute abdominal pain when he states:

Accepted Answer

Acute abdominal pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, some of which may be obvious upon assessment, while others may not be apparent. The EMT should always assume that the pain is due to a serious condition until proven otherwise. A medical history related to the abdominal organs may increase the severity of concern, but it is not the only factor to consider. The presence or absence of sharp pain is also not a reliable indicator of the severity of the condition, and the EMT should not assume that 'crampy' pain indicates a ruptured organ.

Question 18

You have been called for a patient with abdominal pain. The patient states that he recently had his gallbladder removed. As an EMT, you realize that:

Accepted Answer

The gallbladder plays a role in storing and releasing bile, which is important in digestion and absorption of fats. After its removal, the patient may have difficulty digesting fats, leading to abdominal discomfort or pain.

Question 19

The EMT knows that the abdomen is located:

Accepted Answer

The abdomen is located between the diaphragm and top of the pelvis.

Question 20

Your partner is performing the Markle (heel drop) test on a patient complaining of abdominal pain. Which of the following instructions provided to the patient indicates that she is performing the test correctly?

Accepted Answer

The Markle test, also known as the heel jar test, involves the patient standing on their toes and then dropping onto their heels. This action can cause abdominal pain to worsen if there is peritoneal irritation, making it a useful diagnostic tool for conditions such as appendicitis.

Quiz 23: Abdominal, Hematologic, Gynecologic, Genitourinary, and Renal Emergencies